Councillors Slam Inspector’s Demand For 10,000 New Homes In Wrexham

Councillors have slammed an inspector’s demand for 10,000 new homes in Wrexham as part of the Local Development Plan.

On Monday we revealed that the LDP’s progress had been halted due to the planning inspector’s concerns with the level of housing provision proposed within it.

However, now councillors have expressed their disbelief at the inspector’s demands for 10,000 new homes in Wrexham as opposed to the 8,000 proposed within the plan, meaning that the town’s population could surge by as much as 26,000.

They said that it would stretch local resources and have a detrimental effect on the local area.

Plaid Cymru group leader Cllr Marc Jones (Whitegate ward) said: “This top-down approach to planning for local communities isn’t sustainable or progressive, we must oppose it at every stage. Forcing development on communities rather than allowing organic growth is completely illogical and ultimately very damaging.

“Wrexham has already been over-developed and the current demands by the Planning Inspector would see the town’s population surge by as much as another 26,000. It seems there is no thought of the impact this will have on our environment, road network, local hospitals, schools and other services.

“Local planning officers fear this will mean having to build the 2,000 extra homes on greenfield sites. That’s not what the people of Wrexham want and we will oppose any centrally imposed scheme that ignores local people’s wishes. If that means sitting in front of bulldozers, then so be it.”

The formula used by the Welsh Government to calculate future housing demand has proved controversial across the country.

Councillors say that the calculations are heavily based on past levels of migration from England and do not take into account local need, affordability, social problems or the current economic climate.

Councillor Arfon Jones, Gwersyllt West, said: “Although we believe the current housing numbers in the LDP are too high, an additional 2,000 homes will clearly have a hugely detrimental impact locally. For the Planning Inspector to insist on this is completely undemocratic and rides roughshod over the local decision making process.

“There has been consultation with local people during the preparation of the plan, with thousands of locals clearly saying they did not want to see Wrecsam over-developed or for previous high rates of development to continue. The Inspector’s demands completely ignore these views and also those of councillors and council officers who feel 10,000 homes are simply not sustainable.”

Plaid councillor Carrie Harper, who represents Queensway ward, has been part of a panel preparing the LDP, she said of the proposed extra 2,000 houses: “They are not needed, will not be affordable for the majority of local people and will put huge pressure on our services and infrastructure. The plans will no doubt also have a huge impact on the character and identity of our town.

“We are challenging the Welsh Government over this unsustainable and undemocratic method of planning, a petition is currently lodged with the Government’s Petition Committee asking that these plans be recalled and re-thought to make sure they are based on genuine local need. We are perfectly capable of establishing what we need in Wrexham without centralised interference and outside pressure from faceless civil servants who don’t have a clue about our town.”