Plans to deal with strong odours from a pet food factory were given the green light by county councillors yesterday (Wednesday) despite objections from local residents.
Denbighshire's planning committee approved an application for a 35-metre chimney at The Real Pet Food factory, which would tower over the village of Bodelwyddan in North Wales.
The Real Pet Food Company will now be able to go ahead with construction of the chimney to deal with smells from the factory which had led to complaints.
The planning committee ignored opposition from the local community, who wrote a letter to the council stating: “Residents of Bodelwyddan should not be compelled to choose between being affected by an obnoxious smell or the visual impact of a 35-metre chimney to alleviate the problem."
But the company is confident the chimney – along with associated odour abatement equipment – will significantly boost the dispersal of baking odours associated with the manufacture of its pet food products which have been a cause of concern among some residents of Bodelwyddan.
The application was approved subject to various conditions regarding issues such as the final specification and colour of the chimney and full details of the landscaping works to be undertaken.
In addition, councillors also approved a separate application for a 660 sq metre two storey extension to the factory to increase office accommodation and meeting room space as well as improve employee welfare facilities.
James Lawson, managing director of The Real Petfood Company, said: “I am delighted that our plans to tackle the problems associated with the baking odours have been approved.
“I do appreciate there has been strong local concern about this issue and we shall press ahead with the chimney’s construction as fast as possible. We are committed to playing an important role in the Bodelwyddan community providing both jobs and economic benefits and I look forward to a positive relationship with our neighbours.”
The number of employees at The Real Petfood Company, which is a subsidiary of Inspired Pet Nutrition, has more than doubled from 30 to over 70 since the firm moved to its current site some two years ago and it is expected to reach 100 within the next few years. The business makes pet food for brands such as Wagg and Harringtons as well as a wide range of own label products for major retailers.
You can read a full account of the residents' objections to the plan on the Daily Post website by clicking here
Pictured above right at the factory in 2016, Graham Wheeler, founder of The Real Petfood Company, vowed earlier this year to find a long-term solution to eradicate odours from the building.
