Protests have previously been held over the ‘lack of action’ taken by authorities
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Police are investigating after a flammable device was found placed inside machinery at a controversial site in Wrexham.
No injuries were reported.
For a number of weeks land off Castle Road and Talwrn Road in Coedpoeth has been used for unauthorised waste disposal with operators ignoring a stop notice implemented by Natural Resources Wales.
On September 4, over 100 residents from the nearby communities protested over what they claim is a lack of action taken by authorities over the waste dump as well as others in the area.
After a small, flammable device was placed inside a piece of machinery at the site on Thursday, September 10 police have asked members of the public to not to “take matters into their own hands”. No injuries were reported after the incident. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here
Chief Inspector Caroline Mullen-Hurst said: “We are aware of community concerns in the Coedpoeth area relating to environmental incidents at a site on Talwrn Road. However, we are urging members of the public not to take matters into their own hands.
“The incident with the vehicle is being taken seriously, visible increased patrols are taking place in the area and investigations into the vehicle interference are ongoing.
“All reports concerning environmental incidents, or a pollution event should be made to Natural Resources Wales and we ask that such concerns are not reported via the emergency 999 number.”
More than 100 Coedpoeth and Minera residents protested over what they claim is a lack of action over two unauthorised waste dumps and a travellers site in their communities.
The residents branded Natural Resources Wales ‘rubbish’ and called for planning reform to prevent retrospective applications being made after two sites on Old Smelt Road/Nant Lais and Castle Road were turned into unauthorised waste sites.
Concerns were shared by Coedpoeth Cllr Anthony Wedlake who said: “Disturbing that land and dumping more waste on – with a very strong diesel-like smell – could cause serious environmental harm.
“Water run-off from that land goes straight into the River Clywedog. A stop notice has been posted by NRW but the dumping has continued.”
After initial visits to the site in June, NRW last month served a notice requiring the removal of all waste by the end of October as the organisation says it is taking the matter seriously.
Earlier this week claims made by residents that the illegal dump site has now been licensed were rejected as false by Wrexham council.
A post to a Coedpoeth community Facebook group claimed that – in response to a complaint made about the site – one resident had been told by North Wales Police that the operator has valid paperwork from Wrexham Council and NRW to licence the site for the disposal of building rubble – with instructions to grass it over once dumping was completed.
Now Wrexham Council has flatly rejected that suggestion – instead confirming that the use of the site for waste disposal remains unauthorised and legal notices remain in force.
A spokesperson for Wrexham Council said: “From a planning perspective, the site does not have planning permission for the activities on-going. The activities therefore constitute unauthorised development.
“Natural Resources Wales has served a notice under Section 59 of the Environmental Protection Act to require the waste to be removed. All agencies are continuing to work together and in regular dialogue, and we are actively considering planning enforcement action of our own to complement the actions already taken by NRW.”
