Plans for 50+ apartments above empty Henblas Square shops up for debate

Plans to covert vacant office space above a row of long-standing empty shops in the town centre could soon be given the go ahead.

Members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee will next week debate proposals to convert the disused space above shops on Henblas Square into 55 apartments.

This would include 52 one bedroom and and three two bedroom apartments above all the shops, except for the former TJ Hughes.

The application itself has been recommended for approval by the council’s head of environment and planning subject to the completion of Section 106 agreement over providing affordable housing at the site; or a financial contribution to off-site provision of affordable housing.

Built in the late 90s/early 00s, Henblas Square had been seen as a landmark development. However in recent years the retail units have sat empty following the departure of several high street names, including TJ Hughes, BHS, Bodycare, The Entertainer, Evans, Internationale and the Post Office.

Last summer the development was taken over by Manchester based property company, MCR Property, who at the time stated they were confident they could provide a “mixed use offering at the site”.

Within next week’s report it is noted that the plans are supported by the council’s housing department, who describe the proposal as being “consistent with the Town Centre Masterplan and our emerging Local Housing Strategy 2018‐23 in terms of promotion and supply of town centre living, and has the potential to contribute to the economy of the town centre complementing the TBC retail opportunities below.”

While the development has been welcomed by the local community council, concerns have also been raised about the lack of onsite parking.

Within its comments, the community council states: “The adjacent multi storey car park at ‘Tŷ Pawb’ (the former Peoples market) is closed at night, unless the developers can come to an arrangement with the Wrexham Council.

“Planning permission should not be granted until the parking issue is resolved.”

However Lawrence Isted, head of environment and planning, states: “Although there would be no parking provision for the proposed development, the development is in a highly sustainable location within the Wrexham Town Centre with easy access to public transport modes and is well located for occupiers who do not need to rely of private cars.

“There are also a number of car parks nearby (Market Street, Chester Street, Llwyn Isaf etc.).

Mr Isted concludes: “The proposal is consistent with the Town Centre Masterplan and the emerging
Local Housing Strategy 2018‐23 in terms of promotion and supply of town centre living, and has the potential to contribute to the economy of the town centre complementing the retail opportunities below.

“There are no objections to the modifications to fenestration which should reflect the existing in colour, finish and materials.

“The internal layout proposed is considered acceptable to meet modern standards of living and the development of the site without the provision of on-site parking promotes the use of alternative modes of transport than the car.”

The application will be debated by members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee at 4pm on Monday 5th November. The meeting will also be webcast live on the council’s website.

Last week Wrexham.com reported that plans to build apartments and two retail units on the former Hippodrome site had also been lodged.