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In the village of Minera, situated about half a mile away, residents have reported numerous lorries unloading waste onto a field located opposite their homes. The site has also seen the installation of caravans and earthmoving equipment, raising growing concerns among the local community. Meanwhile, in Coedpoeth, villagers report that lorries began dumping materials several months ago on what used to be farmland off Talwrn Road. One resident observed that so much material had been deposited that it effectively “levelled off” a hillside.
Concerns over environmental damage have been voiced by Davies, who warned that the ongoing activity could be causing significant pollution. Davies expressed unease about the unknown contents of the dumped spoil, fearing it might include hazardous substances such as asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Another local, choosing to remain anonymous, described the situation as “depressing,” criticizing the scale of the operation as “industrial” and lamenting its devastating impact on the area.
Authorities are taking steps in response: Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued an enforcement notice demanding the removal of the waste from the affected site. Similarly, Wrexham Council has put in place a temporary stop notice addressing a “significant amount” of material that was deposited without planning permission. The council plans to follow up with enforcement and stop notices aimed at correcting the breach and restoring the land to its former condition.
Tom Lawson, a resident of Coedpoeth, expressed frustration that NRW did not intervene sooner after the dumping was first spotted. He estimated the volume of dumped material to be in the thousands of tonnes and described it as resembling “low-grade demolition waste,” noting he had seen tar and lead batteries mixed within the rubble. Lawson also voiced fears that those responsible might abandon the site, leaving the public to bear the cleanup costs, stating, “It’ll be left for the public to pay… it’s just wrong.” The company SOS Aggregates, based in Wrexham, acknowledged owning the Coedpoeth land and said it had been depositing “grade 1A fill material” to create a plateau for an equine arena project, which would eventually be landscaped. The firm denied continuing activity during the temporary stop notice but confirmed resuming once it expired, adding that a planning application would be submitted soon and that they were seeking legal advice. SOS Aggregates also promised to provide NRW with evidence concerning the materials used.
Simultaneously, investigations in Minera are ongoing as reports indicate a similar situation, with dozens of lorries dumping material emitting a “reeking of diesel” odor. Caravans have also been set up opposite a cul-de-sac known as Nantlais. The farmland was sold about two months ago, yet no planning application for development has been submitted to the council. While SOS Aggregates said it had delivered recycled construction materials to the Minera site, the company denied involvement in ongoing activities there or ownership of the land. Wrexham Council has issued a temporary stop notice citing a “breach of planning control and the change of use of the land to a gypsy and traveller site with associated engineering operations.” NRW is investigating the nature of the materials on the site and has pledged to take appropriate action as necessary
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