Controversial Plans To Develop 111 Houses In Rhosrobin Set To Be Granted

Controversial proposals to develop 111 properties on green barrier space in Rhosrobin look set to be granted. 

Last month Wrexham.com reported that an application to erect 111 houses on land opposite St Peters Close, just off the Llay New Road had been submitted.

It is recommended the plans are approved when Wrexham’s Planning Committee meet next month.

Within the application it is proposed that 83 of the houses consist of a variety of two, three and four bedrooms. A further 28 of the properties would provide social housing and consist of two / three bedroom houses and 16, one bedroom flats.

Overall a total of 325 parking spaces would be provided for vehicles and 33 ‘guest spaces’.

The application to develop houses on the land is the second in a number of months, with an initial application lodged earlier this year to erect 117 houses on the space.

In November 2014 proposals to build 117 houses on the land were thrown out by Wrexham’s Planning Committee, despite the initial indication that the development was going to be granted.

Within next week’s Planning Documents, the Planning Officer states: ” Members will recall that an application for a residential development of 117 dwellings on this site was reported to them in November 2014. Despite the site being outside of the settlement limit and within a Green Barrier I recommended that the development be granted permission because Wrexham lacks a 5 year supply of housing land and because this is an acceptable location for development.”

However Councillors on the committee threw out the recommendation last month, with Councillor David Griffiths describing the application as ‘bully boy tactics’, adding: “I’m sorry if we have not got a five year housing plan, we haven’t got a five year plan. It does not mean everything has to meet it.

“This particular parcel of land building for there has been refused in recent years. The only difference now from that is we haven’t got a five year plan, which is now a three and a half year plan.”

The resubmitted planning report consists of six less houses than the initial application, however the report goes onto detail a number of concerns from 30 neighbouring residents; who raise concerns on the increase of traffic on the Llay New Road, the loss of Green Barrier Space and that no developments should go ahead until Wrexham Council formulate a LDP (Local Development Plan).

Additionally it is stated that over 500 properties could be developed in Pandy / Rhosrobin if a separate planning application to build on green barrier space across the way from the proposed side is also given the go ahead.

However, speaking about the resubmitted development, the Planning Officer states: “The main difference between the previous proposals and those now being considered is that six fewer dwellings are proposed. In place of those dwellings a larger area of open space is to be provided at the north eastern end of the site incorporating a play area.

“This additional area of open space will mean that a buffer of undeveloped open land of between 20 and 30 metres in width will be maintained between the proposed houses and the dwellings of 1-4 The Mews and Pandy Farm located to the north-east of the site.”

The planning application will go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee on Monday February 6th at 6:30pm. The meeting will also be webcast live on the Council’s website.