Wales' environmental regulator has issued enforcement notices after receiving reports of substantial waste deposits across two neighbouring villages in Wrexham, with authorities now investigating at least four separate sites in the area.
Residents of Coedpoeth say numerous 40-tonne trucks have been arriving almost daily over recent months, depositing thousands of tonnes of building rubble described as containing "bits of old toilets", plastics and metals on a field adjoining the village. The dumping began a few months ago on former farmland off Talwrn Road, with one resident noting that the volume deposited had "levelled off" a hillside.
Reg Davies, a local resident, expressed concern that the regular truck movements were "destroying" the village and "seriously polluting the environment". He and others fear the spoil may contain hazardous substances including asbestos and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), though the exact composition remains unknown to villagers.
Half a mile away in Minera, a separate situation has emerged with reports of dozens of lorries depositing materials on a field opposite homes, along with caravans and earthmoving equipment installed on the site. According to local community councils, there are now four known sites across the two villages, prompting calls for a coordinated response from Wrexham Council, the environmental regulator and North Wales Police.
What regulatory action has been taken?
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued an enforcement notice requiring the removal of all waste from the Coedpoeth site. According to NRW's assessment, the deposited material—identified as soil, stone and general construction and demolition waste—does not meet end-of-waste criteria, meaning it must be treated as waste rather than recycled material.
Wrexham Council has also issued a temporary stop notice, citing that a "significant amount" of material was deposited "without planning permission". The council is pursuing enforcement and stop notices to remedy the situation and restore the land to its previous state.
NRW officers first attended the Coedpoeth site in June, with an officer visiting the Minera site on 28 August shortly after a report was received. The regulator has been working closely with the council over planning concerns at both locations.
What does the company operating the site say?
SOS Aggregates, the Wrexham-based company that owns the Coedpoeth land, has denied it is dumping waste. A spokesman stated the firm has been depositing "grade 1A fill material"—described as "high-grade" recycled construction material—to create a plateau for an equine training arena that would subsequently be "landscaped".
The company acknowledged that it continued depositing material after a temporary stop order was initially issued, but claimed it resumed work only once the order expired. SOS Aggregates said it had informed the council of plans to submit a planning application and is seeking legal advice. The firm also stated it would provide evidence to NRW demonstrating the quality of materials being used.
Regarding the Minera site, SOS Aggregates said it had delivered recycled construction material there but denied involvement in other work taking place on the land and stated it does not own that property.
What are residents' concerns?
Tom Lawson, from Coedpoeth, expressed frustration that the activity was not halted by NRW when first reported. He estimated thousands of tonnes of material had been deposited, describing it as "low-grade demolition waste" and noting he had observed tar and lead batteries among the rubble.
Another unnamed resident characterised the situation as "depressing" and "devastating", noting the scale of the operation.
It's on an industrial scale. It's devastating to see.
Lawson also voiced concern that those responsible might "just walk away from it", leaving the public to bear the cost of remediation.
It'll be left for the public to pay... it's just wrong.
In Minera, a local councillor described the deposited materials as "reeking of diesel". The farmland there was sold approximately two months ago, but no planning application has been submitted to the council for any development.
What happens next?
NRW has set 30 October as the deadline for removal of all waste from the Coedpoeth site. Further site visits are planned as part of the ongoing Minera investigation on Old Smelt Road, with NRW stating it will take action if appropriate based on its findings.
Wrexham Council continues to pursue enforcement and stop notices to ensure the land is restored. The two investigations are being handled separately despite both sites being under joint scrutiny with the local authority.
Key Facts
- At least four dumping sites have been identified across Coedpoeth and Minera villages in Wrexham
- NRW has determined the deposited material does not meet end-of-waste criteria and must be removed by 30 October
- Wrexham Council issued a temporary stop notice citing unauthorised deposits and breach of planning control
- SOS Aggregates claims the material is high-grade recycled construction waste for a horse training facility, a claim residents dispute
- Residents fear the spoil may contain hazardous substances and worry about long-term environmental impact
