Posted: Mon 24th Jun 2019

Controversial housing plans to help fund university redevelopments set for approval

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Monday, Jun 24th, 2019

Two controversial housing developments which would help fund the multi-million pound redevelopment of Wrexham’s university campus, will be recommended for approval.

The plans for 74 houses on a sports field on Dean Road Road in Rhosnensi and a further 112 on land north of Gatewen Road, have both been met with fierce opposition from local residents and councillors.

The two applications were submitted by Wrexham Glyndwr last year as part of its Campus 2025 plans – with the sale of the two pieces of land going towards funding the planned improvements.

Last November Professor Maria Hinfelaar, the university’s vice-chancellor, defended the applications, stating that institution had no use for the land and the money would be used to reinvest into the university.

Next week the plans for both Dean Road and Gatewen Road will go before planning committee members, with a draft document noting a recommendation for approval – subject to a Section 106 agreement being secured.

The two applications are amongst nine due for consideration next Monday, all of which appear to have been recommended for approval by the council’s Chief Officer of Planning and Regulatory, Lawrence Isted.

But it has been the plans for the two housing developments that have been the most controversial with residents and councillors, with the draft report circulating ahead the meeting highlighting a number of concerns and criticisms from local representatives.

The Dean Road plans have received objections from the local community council and Rhosnesni councillor, Mike Davies, who say the development would create increased pressure on the local highways network and infrastructure.

Cllr Davies also argues that the plans are contrary to planning policy and questions the accuracy of the document, stating: “The applicant’s submissions are misleading as there is more than one marked out pitch on site at present.

“It is not a poor facility and there are regularly football events and fetes held on the land.

“The applicant’s intention to gift land to provide a new pitch is arguably not possible because the applicant has not approached the council to determine whether this is possible.”

Similar comments about the use of the land have also been made by the council’s housing and economy department, who note that it “has not discussed the position of the pitch with Glyndwr (at application submission stage) and has not given any authority for its land to be used for such a purpose.”

Concerns have also been raised by Sports Wales, who say that that “applicant provides no information justifying the loss of playing field area against the above and although it is privately owned Planning Policy Wales seeks to protect playing fields irrespective of ownership.”

A further 74 objections were submitted by local residents, who argue against the principle of the development, along with issues amenity, the loss of public open space and the added strain on local infrastructure and highways.

But despite the objections, Mr Isted states that he is “satisfied that the proposal would not be detrimental to highway safety” and that “matters relating to a shortfall in health care provision appear anecdotal and no evidence has been provided to suggest that there are planning reasons to refuse the application on the grounds of a lack of healthcare provision.”

In terms of the loss of public open space, Mr Isted notes: “There is no dispute that the site in its entirety has the characteristic of open space.

“It is accessed via a pedestrian gate on to Holt Road and access also achievable across the council land from a vehicular access which serves the former Dean Road family centre.

“It is important to note that there is no legal public right of access over the site or any known right to use the site for the purposes of sport or recreation.

He adds: “Other than its use as an informal ‘cut through’ unchallenged by the private landowners, I am satisfied that these other uses can be catered for in close proximity to the site, especially in the likes of Acton Park which covers a significant area of 20.16ha and serves as a multi-use area of open space.”

Similar concerns have been raised by the local community about the Gatewen Road application, with the local community council and New Broughton councillor Edwards stating that the development would cause congestion on the roads and pressure on nearby primary schools and health services.

Cllr Edwards also offers a skeptical view on the plans, stating: “The only thing in my opinion I see going for this site is it will fetch more money into the University’s coffers helping them pay for a new campus.

“I do not believe that to be a planning consideration for granting the application.”

27 objections were also submitted by local residents, who state that “New Broughton cannot sustain additional pollution, traffic congestion, lack of green space, pressure on schools, health care and environmental damage.”

Other comments include the lack of need for this type of market housing in the village, an unacceptable density of new development and the junctions of Gatewen/Berse Roads and B&Q/Sainsburys roundabout will be affected by the additional traffic.

However Mr Isted states that that site is allocated in the Wrexham Local Development Plan (LDP) which has been submitted to the Welsh Government for examination in public.

He continues onto say: “I consider that the development would represent a logical extension to the settlement. It is in a sustainable location being well related to local services and facilities and accessible by sustainable means of transport.

“The proposal provides a realistic opportunity to accommodate residential growth in a sustainable location that can be provided in a reasonably short timeframe with limited issues relating to deliverability.

“In addition, as discussed above, the delivery of 112 homes (28 of which would be affordable) on an unconstrained site will make a significant contribution to the council’s housing need.

“I am therefore satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances which should carry significant weight in favour of the development proposal.”

The applications will go before planning committee members on Monday 1st July at 4pm. The meetings are open to the public to attend and also view via the webcast system on the council website.

Pictures: Planning documents



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