Applied geological mapping in the Wrexham area: geology and land-use planning

The study area covers the northern part of the ‘Denbighshire’ Coalfield and its environs. It is centred on Wrexham, thlea rgest town in North Wales. This area has beenu ndergoing a transformation with the decline of coal mining and associated heavy industries and their replacement by an expanding service sector and new light and high-technology industries. Two other significant parts of the local economy, agriculture and the mineral extraction industry, continue top lay an important role. The decline of the coal industry hasle ft a legacy of old workings, abandoned shafts and adits, and spoil heaps. Additionally there are many disused and extant workings for sand and gravel, limestone and brick-clay. This history of exploitation of mineral resources has given rise to variable ground conditions which can pose problems for development. Consequently there is a need for detailed up-to-date geological information to enabl planning policies to bea pplied int he most cost-effective manner.