Thank you for your letter requesting a meeting with the Community Council to discuss the problems associated with this site. We are not sure what you hope to achieve by this, except to promote the impression that MF is willing to talk and listen, when to date they have not listened or taken on board the strength of feeling against proposals for further expansion. Residents have legitimate reasons for the way they feel.
Maelor Foods have been operating from this site since 2017and from the start there have been many issues that have been reported to MF and the relevant authorities, so they are well aware of the issues affecting this community. There was widespread objection to the application for 1,000,000 chickens, and you supported the community at the time.
Initially some small issues were resolved but only after much complaint to the Company and the authorities, but with ever increasing output the problems intensify, and so many serious issues affecting the community are not likely to be resolved ever, they can only get worse.
· After MF had gained a foot hold it was discovered that a permit had been acquired from NRW for 1,000,000 chickens per week contrary to what was stated in their initial application (400,000), with no intension to increase this number. No sooner had the appeal been granted there was talk about increasing production to 2,000,000, and even now word has it that if this succeeds the next step is 4,000,000.
· Initially it was also claimed that their plans would lead to an overall reduction in traffic movements compared with a previous industry, First Milk, thereby benefitting local residents. The upgrade of the A525 / Pickhill Lane junction has made no difference to Highway safety, and vehicular movements have increased considerably, by day and now also overnight.
· The 1,000,000 chickens have increased vehicular movements in and out of Pickhill lane, and contrary to initial statements night time and early morning movements have become necessary impacting on Highway safety and the amenity of residents along the incoming routes.
· We can expect double the vehicular movement should 2,000,000 chickens be approved, an increase of fourfold since its initial establishment.
· This may be classed as a state-of-the-art poultry processing plant, but MF has no respect for the community or people it has imposed itself on, under false pretenses, causing loss of amenity and unpleasant conditions to endure day and night.
· It has no respect for the chickens with its poor welfare standards, when chicken lorries are seen parked in lay buys on the roads waiting to be called in because they cannot cope with the arrival times of the lorries, so the birds have to suffer in poor ventilation and heat. Chicken lorries have been seen on the factory fore court having to wait because too many have arrived at one time, or sent out again to be recalled later. How many chickens are dead on arrival?
· Homes which have been built up and established over decades in an environment, which was once acceptable when previous industrial concerns existed here, have now been blighted, and the lives and amenity of residents damaged and there is little sign of reprieve in the future.
The foundation of the business is based on deceit and underhanded tactics and nothing has changed. The intention from the start was to expand on this development piece meal, regardless of all the problems they have created in various ways, and especially causing a deterioration in the amenity and health of residents living along the routes and in the vicinity of the site and beyond when the wind is blowing in particular directions, (traffic, noise and odour and light pollution).
The underlying problem, which MF fails to acknowledge, is the fact that this site is totally unsuitable for such a development, when its future plans are geared towards continued expansion.
The Appeal for 1,000,000 chickens demonstrated the determination of MF to ignore the views of the County Council, Community Council and residents.
What the owners need to consider is, ‘how would they feel if they had to live in these circumstances and conditions within their community and on their doorstep’.
The message we would hope to convey is, ‘Please refrain from further development, be satisfied with what you have and what the community finds acceptable, that being what was proposed along with its promises at the start, or RELOCATE to a more appropriate site where such ongoing expansion is possible without imposing on existing communities.
Many companies who outgrow their sites, re-locate. This is a common practice in industry today and it is well within the budget of MF, and can be carried out quite quickly. Sites such as this, with its poor infrastructure and proximity to people’s homes and local communities, could be sold on to a smaller operation or one more suited to this rural area.
The Wrexham Industrial Estate would provide the ideal conditions.
It is for Maelor Foods to demonstrate to the community and its residents that they are a company to be trusted and are prepared to make decisions with regard to others and not just themselves.