Councillor Fran Lister has raised concerns from residents on Wern Road about the new site.
A proposal to construct a warehouse capable of storing up to 600 tonnes of firelighters adjacent to a residential neighbourhood has received a recommendation for approval from Flintshire council planning officers. According to BBC News, the Flintshire council will vote on Wednesday on whether to grant permission for firelighter manufacturer Tiger Tim to build the facility, which would hold 992 pallets of firelighters and barbecue lighters just 30 metres from homes on Wern Road in Rhosesmor, near Mold. The proposal had previously been deferred due to concerns regarding its scale, safety implications, and potential effects on neighbouring residents.
Tiger Tim currently manufactures stock at their headquarters in Rhosesmor, with inventory stored off-site. The company has argued in planning documents that the new facility will prevent stock from being damaged by unsuitable storage arrangements. The warehouse is intended to serve as a distribution point for delivering products to retail stores.
What safety measures are being proposed?
Planning agents Caulmert Engineering and Environmental Planning have stated that measures have been implemented to address local concerns. Following the initial deferral, revised proposals now include an upgraded sprinkler system designed to control fires in relation to the building's size, along with other fire safety controls regarding smoke management. The planning agent emphasised that the new storage building will be a modern facility required to conform with current building and fire regulations.
However, residents remain sceptical about the sprinkler system's effectiveness. Local people have expressed concerns that the system may be insufficient to slow down a fire, which they claim could contain the energy of a small power station.
What are the concerns from local residents?
Councillor Fran Lister, a Liberal Democrat representative, has raised multiple concerns on behalf of residents. Beyond safety issues, the councillor has highlighted that the large-scale warehouse will overlook nearby homes, with office windows directly facing bedroom and living rooms in properties opposite the site.
The original proposal was deferred specifically because of these safety and scale concerns, reflecting the strength of local opposition to the development.
Why does Tiger Tim need a larger facility?
The planning agent has stated that the scale of the proposed building is dictated by the operational requirements of the business. The current site at Tiger Tim's headquarters can hold a maximum of 700 pallets, which is insufficient given the company's 24-hour manufacturing pattern. The new facility will provide not only expanded storage capacity but also more modern working conditions for staff, along with dedicated office and workshop space.
What happens next?
The Flintshire council planning committee will make a final decision on Wednesday regarding whether to grant permission for the warehouse development. The outcome will determine whether Tiger Tim can proceed with construction of the facility near the residential area on Wern Road.
