Buying an eco-house built entirely in Wrexham could soon become a simpler prospect after Minera Roof Trusses received approval to take over the former Tomlinson’s Dairy site. The timber roofing company will relocate from its current premises on Minera’s Five Crosses Industrial Estate to the neighbouring dairy complex, which has stood empty for five years.
Minera Roof Trusses plans to move its 49-year-old operation into the site alongside Tŷ Eco MMC – its subsidiary that specialises in eco-friendly timber frame housing kits. Together, the companies aim to boost production, making it possible for more people to purchase a 100% Wrexham-built timber-frame home.
These homes are built to ‘passive house’ standards, which means they can be up to 90% more energy-efficient than traditional buildings and up to 75% more efficient than standard new builds.
Speaking on behalf of Minera Roof Trusses and Tŷ Eco, John Small told Wrexham County Borough Council’s Planning Committee that the move would create jobs and allow Wrexham to compete with international firms offering similar products. “We are a local business operating in Minera for nearly 50 years without issue or complaint,” he said.
“We are a generational employer, with the majority of our team residing in Minera, Coedpoeth and the surrounding villages. Many people have worked with us for most – if not all – of their working lives.
“This move is about allowing a Welsh manufacturing business to modernise and remain competitive. We need to do this to retain and create jobs and investment in Minera and the wider Wrexham area.
“If Welsh SMEs like ours are to compete with much larger international corporations we need modern factory space to create efficiencies and hopefully expand over time.”
Addressing concerns about noise, he acknowledged that the site would occasionally operate ‘out of hours’ but stressed that efforts would be made to minimise disruption. He also explained how the move would establish a central hub for producing Wrexham-built eco-homes.
“It means we are going to be producing the entire structure of an eco-friendly, sustainable house on one site in Minera,” he said.
“In terms of the processes it’s all very similar to what’s already happening with the roof trusses. We’re not cutting massive logs down, it’s all pre-milled timber that is being fixed together.
“Currently we are in lots of small sheds that aren’t really suitable for what we’re doing, with the doors open and products moving from shed to shed through the manufacturing process.
“One of the advantages of it all being under one roof is we’ll be able to keep the doors shut, generating a lot less noise. The building is also insulated which will also dampen noise in a way our current sheds don’t.”
Hermitage Cllr Graham Rogers raised concerns that the application didn’t mention extractor fans, which were absent from the plans, but was advised this was a health and safety issue rather than a planning matter.
Otherwise, the application received wide support from the committee.
Overton and Maelor South Cllr John McCusker added: “The only reason this is before us today is because there’s been four objections. This is a pure change of use for a site that has been empty for five years. The main concerns were noise, traffic increase and increased pollution. We’ve had no objections from the community council, the local member, Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Water or Public Protection.
“Highways actually say it’ll generate a lower level of traffic than the dairy. It’s an employer. Let’s bring the site back into use and employ more people. I see it as a win/win.”
His view was reflected by the majority of the committee as the application was approved.
