Affordable housing plans in Gwersyllt refused by councillors

Plans to develop more than 20 affordable houses on former farmland in Gwersyllt have been refused by councillors.

The application for 23 affordable homes at Woodlands Farm on Dodds Lane was submitted on behalf of Wales & West Housing in November 2018.

The development itself proposes a combination of flats, two and three bedroom dwellings and bungalows.

At the time it was noted that the development would provide “much needed accommodation for local people who choose to live and seek employment in and around Gwersyllt”.

However member of Wrexham Council’s planning committee were asked this afternoon to refuse the application due to it falling within the green barrier and the risk of the coalescence of New Rhosrobin and Gwersyllt.

A spokesperson for Wales and West Housing told the planning committee that the company believe the site is an appropriate location for affordable housing and that the application is a “logical and efficient use of previously developed land”.

Cllr Tina Mannering, one of two councillors for Gwersyllt East and South, called for committee members to approve the plans or to visit the site ahead of making a final decision.

She added that whilst she usually objects to building on the green barrier, the development would “allow local people to live local, who otherwise would not be able to do so” and that the area is high in demand for affordable housing.

But Cllr David Griffiths, who represents the same ward, said the development is in the wrong place and that the green barrier is there to protect the two communities from merging together.

He said: “Gwersyllt and Rhosrobin are two totally different communities and that’s why I support officer’s recommendations.

“It’s outside the settlement, it’s in the green barrier and it’s there to protect the coalescence of the two villages.

“In the words of Eric Morecambe, it’s got the right tunes but not in the right order. I can’t knock what they’re thinking about but it 100 per cent is in the wrong area and to do it will remove the protection these two settlements have.”

Cllr Marc Jones moved that the application was refused, adding: “I can see the pros of granting planning here as it is providing much needed affordable housing, which we all know is desperately needed.

“The cons I think outweigh the pros. If we lost a green wedge anywhere I think there are terrible dangers in doing that. If you look at the map it’s quite dramatic and would create an urban sprawl, I don’t think anyone wants to be party to that.”

Members of the committee voted unanimously in favour of refusing the application.