Multi Million Pound Ruabon Development Recommended For Approval

Controversial proposals to develop over 300 houses, a supermarket and hotel on land in Wrexham are due to go before councillors next week.

The outline proposals for the extensive development on land adjacent the Ruabon Business Park has been listed for recommendation for approval, and is set to be debated by members of the Planning Committee next Monday.

Overall the multi-million pound development would consist of 319 dwellings, extra care accommodation, a commercial development consisting of a supermarket and petrol station; industrial units, a public house and a hotel.

It is estimated over 1000 jobs could be created if the application is granted.

The planning documents continue on to state that initial proposals including ‘gifting’ the land to the Council for the provision of a school – however following discussions this was omitted from the scheme. The documents go onto state that just over £1.5m will be given to the Council to help with education.

However the proposals have been met with strong objections from local residents and Ruabon Community Council; along with concerns from neighbouring community councils, Cefn, Rhos and Penycae.

Concerns raised include issues with traffic in the area, the number of affordable houses which will be provided; the suitability of the site, that the site is not a characterful extension to Ruabon and lack of details on the development.

Questions have also been raised over the proposed size of the supermarket, with Ruabon Community Council noting: “It is too big for this new community nor would it suitably be located to serve Ruabon/Johnstown/Rhos and would not satisfy the primary test for local need shopping.”

Rhos Community Council adds: “which store would take up a unit of this size, does not seem to relate to the current supermarket providers. In this climate Tesco stores are closing. Is another Supermarket required?”

49 neighbouring occupiers of the site were notified and there were a total of 64 responses received, of which there were 41 representations supporting the development.

Comments of support for the application included the need for a petrol station in the area, the employment that would come with the development and that the ‘increased population growth in the area will be of benefit to
existing local businesses.”

The planning report concludes: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the development of the site does not accord with strategic policies relating to the location of the proposal, the principle of development on the site has been established and secured in perpetuity.

“The proposal presents the opportunity to deliver without, significant known difficulty, a high quality development, which would provide and contribute to much needed housing and affordable housing requirements in a broadly sustainable location. The scheme, through the provision of a reduced employment provision and a retail offer would deliver significant economic benefits to the locality through jobs and future expenditure.”

The proposals will go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee at 6:30pm on Monday 30th March. For those who can’t make the meeting, it will be webcast on the Wrexham Council website.

Picture – Google Maps