Residents of Coedpoeth Take Fight Against Illegal Waste Dumps to Natural Resources Wales

Residents of Coedpoeth are taking their fight against illegal waste dumps and settlements in their village to Natural Resources Wales.
Coedpoeth Cllrs Anthony Wedlake and Kate Coventry will lead the protest at the offices of the NRW in Buckley from 10am on Tuesday, September 15.
They argue that the regulator has failed to exercise its full powers to protect the village from the establishment of an illegal waste site off Castle Road and Talwrn Road and additional dumping off Nant Lais and Old Smelt Road.
NRW has issued an enforcement notice for the Castle Road site requiring the removal of all waste, although local reports indicate dumping activity is still taking place there.
“Coedpoeth and Minera residents are angry at the continued inaction of NRW and their inability or unwillingness to use their extensive powers to stop the illegal tipping in and around our communities,” said Cllr Wedlake.
“To reflect that anger, we have called a demonstration outside the NRW offices un Buckley.”
The demonstration has been timed to coincide with the publication of a Senedd petition which will call for the Welsh Government to use its influence to ensure the NRW utilises its powers to the fullest extent  to stop tipping and begin the process of restoring the land to its former state.
“Only a coordinated response can protect our communities and support positive action across the wider area,” added Cllr Coventry. “It is clear that these developments are very well organised.
“We ask the people of Coedpoeth and Minera to join us tomorrow to continue to demand the end of unlawful development in and around our villages.”
A spokesperson for NRW said: “We understand the strength of feeling within the local community regarding ongoing waste deposits at sites in the Coedpoeth area and we fully recognise the frustration and concern this situation is causing residents.
“We are taking these matters seriously. We first attended the Talwrn Road site in June to assess the situation and gather evidence. Further site visits have taken place since as part of our ongoing regulatory response.
“In August, we served a notice requiring the removal of all waste from the site by the end of October. We have not issued any permission or licence allowing waste to be deposited at the location. We have also served a notice requiring the provision of information to assist our investigation.
“We understand that local residents want to see effective action being taken. We are working closely in partnership with Wrexham County Borough Council, who have already served a Stop Notice under planning legislation.
“We are also working with them regarding the site off Old Smelt Road. We are unable to comment further at this time as these are active and ongoing investigations and any additional information could prejudice our investigations.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​