MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD 21st AUGUST 2018
Present
Cllrs. Mrs Jackie Allen (JA), Mr Frank Hemmings (FH), Mrs Barbara
Humphreys (BH), Mr Terry Evans (TE),
Mr Shaun Jones (SJ), Clerk to the Council.
Apologies
Apologies for absence: Cllrs.
Mr
Mark Holmes, Ms Eleanor Burnham, Ms
Kirsty Cottam, Mr Newman James Declarations of Interest
Item
3: It is noted TE, FH, SW & JA are School Governors. 62. TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF TREE MAINTENANCE AFFORDED TO THE LINE OF 39 LEYLANDII TREES BETWEEN THE CHAPEL LANE PLAY AREA AND YSGOL Y WAUN.
SJ provided background to the issue raised by the Headmaster Mr
John Roberts of Ysgol Y Waun. SJ, FH, Mr Roberts & Mr Aled Lewis
(Tree contractor) met in July and it was proposed to reduce the
height of the 39 leylandii trees and trim the sides. A quotation
for the work was provided by Mr Lewis amounting to Ł2,150.00. This
was briefly considered by members on August 7th and a
request made for a new quote to be requested to remove the trees
altogether as there was concern that further maintenance costs
would continue to be seen. Members were encouraged to visit all 7
play areas to scope the current issues with bark chip at Black Park
and Offa in need of replenishment and the trees causing a nuisance
on the school playground at Chapel Lane. The new quote from Mr
Lewis was received on August 9th and amounted to
Ł4,500.00. Members discussed the merits of each approach. FH had
consulted with Mr Roberts who, like him were minded to the initial
proposal to undertake a severe haircut. BC had concern that the
original concerns over debris on the playground and the occasional
bough breaking away were still present after the trimming work a
clear safety issue.
63.
TO CONSIDER QUOTES FROM GREENFINGERS LANDSCAPE LTD TO TIDY THE ROUGH
PATCHES ON CHAPEL LANE RECREATION GROUND.
64.
TO
CONSIDER PLANNING MATTERS P/2018/0687 AND P/2018/0676. P/2018/0687 Ground Floor Bedroom And Shower Room Extension
The Old Post Office Halton Chirk Wrexham
P/2018/0676 Change Of Use Of Land From Agricultural To Tourism Use For The Siting Of 3 Safari Tents And 2 Camping Pods, Formation Of Associated Access Track And All Associated Works
Forge Farm Pont Y Blew Chirk Wrexham
65.
TO
DECIDE ON ADDITIONAL COMMENTS TO ADD TO THOSE ALREADY MADE ON NEW
OSB PRODUCTION LINE KRONOSPAN P/2018/0551. ˇ Members of Chirk Town Council (CTC) have had reason to visit the Kronospan site in recent days. Some of these members have direct work experience of similar industrial sites and they cannot stress how awful the Kronospan site is. It was remarked that it is a very dangerous site and only having one access is one of the root causes. It appears madness that an operation of this size with the number of HGV movements alone must require at least an additional road access point. The present arrangement is not adequate and increasing HGV movements by 33% if this application was approved is clearly irresponsible. The B5070 from where all vehicles access the site is a school route, safety and higher concentrations of NO2 are putting residents at greater risk. We have seen what happens when the weighbridge malfunctions queuing HGVs on the B5070 where the usual road users take huge risks in an effort to pass. Currently it is the view of CTC that Kronospan are already squeezing 2 pints into a pint pot. There is an immediate need for an additional road access to the Kronospan site. ˇ Please also look at the LDP in preparation. CTC have suggested alternatives to the single site currently included in the LDP for Chirk. If the LDP remains unchanged then we have some 180 homes with the additional traffic adding to the B5070 traffic volume as well as the additional HGVs outlined in the OSB Planning Application. ˇ Councillors make a very strong appeal for independent monitors of levels of pollution in Chirk. The real-time readings should accessible by any resident or visitor via a phone app or electronic display panel in a prominent position in the town. There is huge miss-trust in the current arrangements for monitoring pollution Kronospan is too close and it is of course not in their interest if levels were on the increase. ˇ Finally the Council state that noise levels are of great concern. Adding a new production line for OSB is going to make matters worse. Residents are having sleep disturbed as Kronospan operate 24 hours with instances of regular & irregular noise sources being regularly reported.
Meeting closed 8.10pm.
Signed Chairman 26th September 2018
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