Development of Retail Store on Pub Car Park Set to be Granted

Controversial proposals to build a convenience store on a pub car park in Wrexham look set to be granted.

In December 2014 Wrexham.com reported on an application submitted by Martsons to build a retail convenience store on the car park at the rear of the Kingsmill Pub, Hightown.

In a report due to go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee next week the application is recommended for approval by councillors, with the Planning Officer noting: “The development site is located in a sustainable location and both safe and convenient pedestrian and vehicular access to the site can be provided, along with adequate on-site parking to cater for both the Pub and new store.”

Currently the site is occupied by the public house and a car park consisting of 47 parking spaces, along with associated garden space. However there will be a reduction of 32 parking spaces on the land if the proposals are passed.

The application consists of a building with a ‘pitched roof’ with the overall design being of ‘standard appearance’ for such structures. It it also listed that the food store would create up to 20 jobs for a combination of full time and part time employees

If the application is passed the store would be open from 7am – 11pm.

However the proposals were met with opposition from local residents, with a petition against the development gaining 701 signatures. Seven objection letters and five online objections were also submitted.

A number of concerns are listed in the report from local residents, with comments raised regarding traffic issues, the risk of anti-social behaviour and the impact the store would have on other convenience outlets already established in the area.

One such comment notes: “The proposal could have a negative impact on the local community as may cause small business in the area to close with the loss of jobs. There is already a small convenience store within walking distance (Premier Store, Pentre Gwyn) and a supermarket (Farm Foods, Hightown) also with walking distance.”

The Planning Officer goes onto comment on the proposals, noting the proposed shop is likely to be a destination for ‘top-up’ rather than main food shopping. The report concludes: “The land in its current form makes little contribution to the appearance of the Special Landscape Area and development of the site would not conflict with the purposes for the Green Barrier designation nor would it affect the openness of the area due to the topography of and tree coverage on the adjacent land. The development is of an appropriate scale and design and accords with the character of the site.”

The application will go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee on Monday 2nd March at 6:30pm. The meeting will also be webcast live on the Wrexham Council website.

Picture – Google Maps