Planning appeal launched after Gresford housing proposals thrown out for third time

An appeal has been launched after plans to build houses in a Wrexham village were refused for the third time.

An application was lodged with Wrexham Council in April in a bid to create eight new homes on land at Old Wrexham Road in Gresford.

However, it was thrown out because of the site being located on green barrier land. Concerns were also raised about the impact on road safety for drivers and pedestrians.

Tim Edwards, who is behind the scheme, has now launched an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
Architects acting on his behalf said the properties would help to meet the shortage of housing land in the county.

In documents submitted to the inspector, Stuart Hatherall from Blueprint Architectural Services said: “Following several discussions and the pre-application process, this application was the third attempt to obtain a permission on this parcel of land.

“It was deemed that the best use of this land was for smaller units, with an element of affordable units within the scheme.

“With the expired local plan together with a continual shortfall for housing we believe this site to offer a superb, sustainable location together with minimal visual impact.

“While moving from the settlement area this development, while not infill, provides a logical development form with its surroundings and previously approved sites in the immediate vicinity.

“Approval of this site will relieve pressure from developing more contentious and harmful sites outside of the settlement.”

If the appeal is successful, the mews-style houses would be built in two blocks of four, each with parking to the rear.

A new access point could be created off Old Wrexham Road to prevent cars from queuing onto the road itself.

While acknowledging that the site is on green barrier land, Mr Hatherall said the proposals should be judged on their merits.

He added: “A balanced approach needs to be taken on whether development of this land can be deemed as harmful to the area.

“Care must be exercised in the application being refused just because the land is labelled.

“With the approval of development to the south, this will lead to built form in the area.

“This new proposal will not result in visual intrusion rather than linking this previously approved development back to the village of Gresford.”

The appeal will be considered by an inspector appointed by the Welsh Government at a later date.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).