Plans for more than 130 homes in Rossett resubmitted six months after being refused

Plans to develop more than 130 homes on two parcels of land in Rossett have been resubmitted just six months after being rejected by councillors.

The application, which has been put forward on behalf of Bellis Brothers Limited, proposes that the properties are developed on lane adjacent to Lane Farm, Rossett Road.

This includes up to 61 properties on the northern parcel of land, while a site to the south would have 71.

When the plans were submitted last year it was claimed by the applicants that the development would “play a ‘key part’ in the village’s growth.”

Documents submitted at the time stated: “The site is in a highly sustainable location with direct links to public transport bus services to the main shops and services located close by along Chester Road and Station Road, to local schools, and to the wider regional employment and services in Wrexham and Chester.

“The proposals have been developed in consultation with Wrexham Council and key consultees and changes have been incorporated into the proposals wherever possible.

“Provisions have been set in place to contribute to enhanced community facilities.

“The proposals will deliver a high quality place to live in a highly sustainable location. The proposals contribute to and support local community facilities and support the planned growth of the Borough of Wrexham over the Development Plan period.”

However earlier this year Wrexham.com reported that the plans were refused by planning committee members after a lengthy two hour debate.

The application had been recommended for approval, however councillors stated that the scale of the development would put extra strain on local health services and education.

A further 74 objections had been submitted by local residents who raised similar concerns about pressures on infrastructure.

Speaking at the time Cllr Hugh Jones, councillor for Rossett, argued that the officer’s report went against both local and national planning policies and the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act.

He said: “I urge the committee to reject. The development is not needed, it contravenes local and national policy and it is an application and development that the village does not want or need.”

There were also questions over the timing of the development and whether the applicant was “jumping the gun” ahead of the public inspection of the Local Development Plan.

But councillors were warned against rejecting the plans on a prematurity basis could in fact be seen as predetermining the LDP outcome,

The application was later refused due to falling outside the settlement limit and the potential safety issues on a footway on Hold Road due increased traffic and pedestrian use.

Now the plans have now been submitted for reconsideration, along with a statement of common ground – which notes it has been “undertaken to narrow the issues and focus the evidence in respect of the impending planning appeal against the refusal of outline planning permission.”

It adds: “The reason in order to reduce (or indeed avoid) hearing / inquiry time, save resources and avoid unnecessary time being spent at the appeal on areas where there is agreement.”

The planning statement also addresses a series of points raised in the meeting earlier this year, including a challenge on comments made about “jumping the gun”.

The applicant states that “to suggest that the submission was a “cynical” attempt to subvert the 40% levy is therefore unwarranted and refuted.”

They continue onto say: “As it is, had Members got behind and resourced their own LDP sooner with more conviction they would have had an adopted defensible LDP by now.

“Instead they appear to have opened themselves up to challenger sites being submitted (e.g. Home Farm, Llay and Tany-y-Bont, Rhosrobin) that neither they nor their communities wanted.

“The applicant has played with a straight bat and rather than seeking to challenge the Authority have worked with them from day one, playing the “LDP game” by waiting for the site to be acknowledged as the best site in Rossett to deliver the housing needs of the community and endorsed by none other than Full Council as a draft allocation before committing to submit.”

Addressing the loss of green barrier and the development falling out of the settlement, the document adds: “The priority must therefore be given to releasing the most logical and sustainable locations for new development and, to be brutally honest, there are few options which are capable of delivering growth of any scale and substance as only a few infill sites now remain.

“This location is considered to be perhaps the most logical, unconstrained and sustainable location available, achievable, viable and deliverable.”

Emails included within the resubmitted documents also note that the applicants have “assumed that with a commencement date of Summer 2020 this would allow the site(s) to be completed by / during 2022.”

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

*Pictures: Planning document