WREXHAM Council has won a £6 million-plus compensation battle with Mersey Waste Holdings Associates over Hafod Quarry.
Following an inquiry held earlier this year the tribunal has now declared MWH is not entitled to compensation.
Lawrence Isted, the council’s head of community well-being and development, said: “I am pleased the council has won this case and council taxpayers will not be required to compensate Mersey Waste.
“I pay tribute to the council’s legal and planning officers and advisers who have worked tirelessly to achieve this outcome.”
The claim arose from a planning committee decision to issue revised conditions in respect of the consent to extract minerals at the Johnstown site. The Review of old Minerals Planning Permission (ROMP) followed the designation of part of the site as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
The effect of the ROMP is to restrict working rights within the SAC. The claim was defended by the local authority on the basis that there was no compensation payable, as the claimant had expressed a clear intention not to work the claim area prior to the making of the ROMP.
Wrexham Council says the tribunal decision vindicates its stance.
A statement released by the authority read: “While there has been significant cost to the council in defending the claim, the overall saving to the public purse is substantial given that the value of the initial claim was nearly £7m – loss of minerals £5.6m and loss of voidspace £1.3m.”
A spokeswoman added the council would be able to put in a claim for costs.