Marford Convenience Store Development Rejected
Tonight at the Guildhall Councillors rejected the development of a convenience store on the Red Lion pub’s car park at the top of Marford Hill by 15 votes to 2 Cllrs abstaining.
Back in December we reported that a planning application had been lodged with Wrexham Council, and days later how local opposition groups were forming.
Objections to the development were raised by the Community Council who said “the proposed access is located on a busy main road immediately opposite an existing badly designed road junction
which is difficult at the present time for motorists to have a clear view of oncoming traffic” and “The proposed retail unit would adjoin existing residential properties and would be out of keeping with the character and appearance of the area.”
The way the land pictured above would have looked like. Described as a shed by one Councillor.
Highways stated several possible issues with the impact on the roads around the site, and stated “There is nothing in the delivery proposals to demonstrate how deliveries to the public house will deliver its goods without seriously impacting upon parking, turning and maneuverability within the site” and thus said they would recommended refusal.
David Parker Planning Associates on behalf of the owners of the Spar & Post Office, Rossett and the landlords of the Spar in Gresford also submitted objections, including saying “The applicant’s parking survey was flawed – it was carried out at a time when there was no food available at the public house as it was being refurbished”
Gerrards Confectioners also objected, saying “A store of this type sited between Gresford and Rossett has the potential to destroy or have adverse affects on the viability of the shopping areas of both villages”.
Five representations were made in support of the development, saying that a closer shop to Marford would be useful, increased competition is a good thing, and the convenience for non-drivers and the elderly would be a plus.
Overall there were 217 individual objection letters plus 380 standard template objection letters and a petition sign by SPAR customers with 142 signatures objecting to the development.
The Council’s Planning Officer said: “The development accords with the relevant UDP policies” and therefore recommended to the committee that permission should be granted with some standard conditions. One such condition relates to the planting and maintaining of trees, however as we detailed on the Wrexham Village development such conditions appear to be toothless.
Wrexham.com covered the meeting live on Twitter:
In Wrexham’s Guildhall awaiting the planning meeting to decide if a shop will be built in the car park of the Red Lion on Marford Hill #live
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
A rammed public gallery at the Guildhall tonight, all if not majority here are against the proposal. Meeting now underway… #live
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
Resident Mr Jones speaking against development. No shopkeepers etc allowed to speak due to interest.Marstons tho will be speaking in support
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
Agent for Marstons now outlining why the development needs to happen, he says to help fund refurb of local pub network. #live
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
Planning Officer saying due to size of shop proposed it wont affect existing retail areas. Up here in the public gallery there is tutting!
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
Chair now raises hand to shush public gallery as loud murmurs of discontent over ‘nonsense’ parking comment by Officer regarding buses
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
Highways now speaking saying they have worked on the planning application for 6mths & expressed issues ‘since day one’. #live
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
Highways damning saying the HGV deliveries work on paper but big doubts in reality. ‘only mm of leeway’ in driving the vehicles in.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
Cllr Mike Edwards says “The design is a pure shed. It is not a design.” Also “The idea that the shop is needed is just not true”. #live
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
This is a picture of the proposed development being discussed on top of Marford Hill. Rumoured to be a Tesco Extra. twitter.com/wrexham/status…
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
Formal motion to refuse permission made, several hands shot up to 2nd it. Could be a tight vote based off that very initial impression #live
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
Cllr Bailey says delivery by HGV is ‘unworkable’ & ‘unmonitorable’. (A few have pointed out its tesco express not extra! #whoops)
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
Cllr Pemberton tells meeting debate is ‘winding him up’ as ‘Spar & Gerrards appear to be frightened by competition’. #live
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
So the application goes to a vote and permission refused 15 votes to 2 abstain. Residents fear appeal saying ‘won round one’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) June 3, 2013
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