There are fears the Grizzled Skipper species could be affected by the plans

But the permission granted to Waste Recycling Group is subject to several conditions including measures to off-set the effects on wildlife.

Conservationists had criticised the plan claiming the habitat of rare butterflies and great crested newts would be threatened.

Waste Recycling Group said three hectares would be set aside for "ecological mitigation".

The new recycling, composting and waste transfer centre will be on Bryn Lane on the Wrexham Industrial Estate and will process the town's waste.

Work is due to start on constructing the new facility in spring 2008 and it is expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2009.

Upgrades to the company's existing household recycling centres at Brymbo and Plas Madoc were also approved by the planning committee on Monday and these improvements will also be ready by the end of 2009.

The Bryn Lane plans also include an education facility on recycling.

Waste Recycling Group have claimed the new site will enable Wrexham to meet landfill diversion targets and allow a increase in recycling waste.

It would be a great shame if developers weren't able to work around the wildlife on this industrial estate Russell Hobson, Butterfly Conservation Wales

Glass, newspapers, plastics and tin cans will be among the goods processed at the centre.

Before the plans were approved, the group Butterfly Conservation Wales said the mitigation measures introduced by Waste Recycling Group did not go far enough to preserve the habitat of two rare species of butterfly - the Dingy Skipper and the Grizzled Skipper.

Russell Hobson from Butterfly Conservation Wales said the site ranked as one of the largest centres for the populations of both butterflies in Wales.

Speaking after the planning permission was granted, he said he had not seen details of the conditions imposed by councillors but said they would "work to ensure the best outcome for the butterflies with all the parties involved in the development".

"It would be a great shame if developers weren't able to work around the wildlife on this industrial estate," he added.

"In Wales in the last 20 years, the Grizzled Skipper has declined by 62% and the Dingy Skipper has declined by 49%."