Detailed plans for petrol station next to golf club look set for approval

Detailed plans for a new petrol station and convenience store next to a golf club look set to be approved despite concerns about road safety and stray balls.

Outline permission for the large service station next to Wrexham Golf Club was given last year after road safety fears raised by councillors were addressed.

Euro Garages has now submitted details of the layout and appearance of the development, which is set to be created just off the Llanypwll link road.

Ahead of the proposals being considered by Wrexham Council’s planning committee, some living nearby have again highlighted the impact on the busy roundabout next to it, as well the the safety risk posed by stray golf balls.

However, officers have backed the latest set of plans for approval after they said those issues were addressed at the previous stage.

In a report, Lawrence Isted, the authority’s head of planning and environment, said: “Two neighbour response letters have been received which express concerns in relation to the access and suggest alternative access locations.

“The access shown on the proposed site layout plan is in the location already approved at outline planning stage and I do not therefore intend to revisit matters relating to the safety of the vehicular access.

“Safety concerns expressed in respect of stray golf balls from the adjacent golf club were considered as part of the determination of the outline permission.

“I remain of the view that this does not present a significant threat to the future users of the development.

“A condition requiring investigation into safety netting will be attached to the reserved matters approval.”

The proposals were previously put on hold twice by councillors because of road safety concerns.
However, the application was approved by planning committee members in November after traffic calming measures were put forward.

It will see the introduction of new road markings and changes to the layout of the Holt Road roundabout.

The application will be considered by planning committee members on Monday 1st April at 4pm. The meeting will also be webcast live on the Wrexham Council website for those unable to attend.

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