Wrexham Council has welcomed the recent decision by the Welsh Assembly Government to confirm the Modification Orders relating to Hafod Quarry made by the Council in 2006. The decision follows a public enquiry held in March 2009 by the Welsh Assembly Government.
The Order prevents landfilling on that part of the site which is designated a Special Area of Conservation, because it is a habitat for Great Crested Newts, and will require the eventual landform on the remainder of the landfill site to be modified (i.e. that the earth-mound not now cover the south-western corner of the site next to the railway line)
Lead Member for Housing and Planning, Cllr Mark Pritchard, said:
“I am pleased that the Planning Inspectorate have agreed with Wrexham Council’s decisions in relation to this site. I know this has been a longstanding matter and I would like to thank the Inspectorate, officers of the Council and all those involved in bringing this matter to a conclusion.”
History of the site
In 1989 permission was given to extract clay from land at Hafod Quarry, Johnstown, Wrexham. In 1995 planning permission was given, following an appeal, to allow landfill at the quarry.
In 1989 permission for additional time to implement the 1995 permission was given.
In 2001 part of the site and other land nearby was designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest mainly because of the presence of the rare Greater Crested Newt.
In 2004 part of the site was confirmed as a Special Area of Conservation which is a European designation.
As required by law, Wrexham Council had to review whether the planning permissions in force might have a significant effect of the conservation value of the Special Area of Conservation. In September 2006 it was resolved that all three permissions would affect the conservation value and Modification Orders were made by the council to prevent development on the affected part of the site.
These came into immediate force but required confirmation from the Welsh Assembly Government. Due to objections raised a public enquiry was held in March 2009.
The report of the Inspector and the decision of the Welsh Assembly Government has now been published and confirmed, with some minor modifications, the decisions made by Wrexham Council.
The decision of the enquiry can be viewed at the Planning Department, Lambpit Street, Wrexham.
