Posted: Thu 1st Nov 2018

Plans for nearly 40 new apartments in town centre unveiled

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Thursday, Nov 1st, 2018

Almost 40 apartments could soon be created in Wrexham town centre if new plans are given the go ahead.

In an application submitted to Wrexham Council it has been proposed the first and second floor of Central Buildings – on the corner between Brook Street and Bridge Street – are converted into 10 one bedroom apartments.

The building itself is also home to Voodoo Moon as basement level and a takeaway on the ground floor – both of which are unaffected by the development on the floors above.

Designs for the apartments show they would consist of an open plan kitchen and living area, one bedroom and a bathroom or an en-suite.

On the ground floor a new stairwell and entrance would be created for those living on the floors above.

However in a pre-consultation document concerns about the lack of parking for the 10 apartments in Central Buildings have been raised by a planning officer at Wrexham Council, who noted that there are already existing parking issues on many of the streets in that area.

The officer continues onto state that “the lack of parking provision at the site is considered unacceptable and I would not be able to support the proposed development”.

Commenting on the lack of parking for the conversion, the applicants state: “Different types of dwellings appeal to different people – people wanting a house with a garden are unlikely to look at an apartment for example – but it is clear that there are substantial numbers of people in Wrexham who not only would like a centrally located apartment, but who also do not own a car.”

The plans also include developing a further 28 apartments and car parking on vacant land at the rear of Central Buildings.

Details provided in the application’s design and access statement notes that the site “has been vacant since the demolition of the former terraced shops that occupied the site”.

It continues onto state: “Hoardings screen the site along the footway edge, but it is clear to see that the site is now overgrown and derelict, with the large scale blank elevations to buildings to either side and to the rear dominating views across the site.

“This is a site that detracts from the character of the area and it is clear that it is in need of redevelopment.

“Although the buildings to either side of the site are of three storeys, the increased floor to ceiling heights within older properties, together with the pitched roof construction, means that the proposed four storey building on the application site would sit between the ridge and eaves height of Central Buildings, the scale of the proposal is, therefore, appropriate to the site, leading up to no 26 Bridge Street which is on slightly raised ground.”

The proposed development would also consist of one bedroom apartments and 19 parking spaces.

Similar parking comments have also been made about this section of the development, with the officer stating: “If the applicant was to reduce the number of apartments and provide adequate parking (ie/1 parking space per apartment) and address the waste / storage issues raised then further consideration could be given to the development.”

The application concludes: “There is a need for additional housing to be granted, this factor should be given “considerable weight” in the determination of the application.

“The upper floors of the Central Buildings have been vacant for several years, the proposal, therefore, provides a means of finding a new, sustainable, use for the vacant accommodation.

“The remainder of the site has also been vacant and overgrown for some years and would greatly benefit from redevelopment.

“The site is in a highly sustainable location where there is every opportunity for residents to access services and facilities without the use of the private car. In these circumstances it is clear that the proposed development with a reduced level of parking is one that should be viewed as acceptable, in line with the Council’s own policies and approach to parking.

“No part of the development is subject to a level of flood risk that would justify the refusal of planning permission.

“The proposals will maintain the external appearance of Central Buildings, indeed, the renovations proposed will result in its appearance being enhanced.

“The appearance of the vacant site on Bridge Street will also be significantly enhanced through the construction of an attractive new building of appropriate scale in relation to existing properties.

“For the above reasons, the application proposal should be granted planning permission.”

The application will be considered by councillors at a later date.



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