‘Hybrid’ plans for 50+ houses and shop near Llay Royal British Legion resubmitted

Controversial plans for a ‘hybrid’ development in Llay have been resubmitted, despite being rejected by councillors less than five months ago.

The application, which has been submitted by the Royal British Legion, proposes that ‘around 51 dwellings’, the re-siting of a war memorial and a boxing club are built on land surrounding the Llay Royal British Legion on Watts Dyke.

It is also proposed that a 4,000sqft shop fronting Llay New Road to replace the former Co-op at Shones Lane which closed in December 2016 due to a fire, is developed on the site.

This would also comprise of 26 parking spaces and a service area.

As part of the plans the Llay Royal British Legion would continue to operate, with planning documents stating there will be a “consolidated external area, including a service yard to the rear and 60 parking spaces, maintaining the existing access.”

However an earlier application was refused by planning committee members in July 2018 amid concerns over the impact of the development on already overstretched schools and GP surgeries in the area.

Speaking at the time Llay councillor Rob Walsh said patients at Llay Health Centre are currently left queuing out the door each morning in a bid to try and get an appointment.

There were also fears over whether the proposals could potentially lead to the social club closing its doors.

In the resubmitted application the Royal British Legion say the lease for Llay Royal British Legion Social Club was renewed for a period of 15 years beginning in September 2016.

The applicants state that the new lease, along with the development of the surplus land will “ensure its longevity as a community facility, and the continued provision of support for Veterans and their families”.

It is also noted in the planning documents that the land has been allocated for development in the local authority’s Deposit Local Development Plan – which is due before the executive board and full council this month.

The applicants state: “The current application provides additional information in relation to the reasons for refusal and seeks to overcome the concerns raised.

“The application site comprises the Llay Royal British Legion Social Club and surrounding land which is currently accessed by an entrance onto Watts Dyke. It is located in a residential area on the edge of the Llay settlement boundary.

“A lease agreement between the Royal British Legion and Llay Royal British Legion Social Club Limited allows for the Club’s secure tenure with sufficient car parking until at least 2031.

“It guarantees the use of the premises for meetings and other functions of the Llay RBL Branch and the RBL Women’s Section as well as its use in connection with the annual Poppy Appeal and the annual celebration of Remembrance Tide and Remembrance Day.”

They add: “The application site is allocated for residential development in the emerging Local development Plan and its development would constitute sustainable development in accordance with Planning Policy Wales, the Adopted UDP and the emerging LDP.

“There is a defined need to provide land for additional housing in Wrexham County Borough, and the application site forms an integral part of meeting that need.

“Failure to grant planning permission on sites such as this will mean that the Borough’s housing requirements will not be met and the Welsh Government’s objectives will not be satisfied.”

The application will be considered for approval again at a later date.