Plans refused for housing development on land surrounding historic monument

Plans to build a small housing development on land surrounding a historic monument have been refused

The proposals for the former Wynnstay Colliery in Ruabon have been turned down because of concerns about how it would impact the listed Walker Fan House building.

The application would have seen six houses built either side of the structure, which was created in 1902 to ventilate the colliery.
According to the historic environment service Cadw, the monument is of ‘national importance’ for its potential to enhance knowledge of industrial practices.

The developers claimed the scheme would not cause any harm to the fan building and should be approved.

However, Wrexham Council’s planning department has now refused the plans.

In a decision notice, the authority said: “Insufficient information has been submitted with the application to demonstrate that the proposed new development and remedial works will not directly or indirectly impact upon the scheduled monument, which is also grade II listed.

“In addition, no evaluation of the footprint areas to determine whether industrial archaeological remains related to the colliery are present here has been provided.

“Insufficient information has been submitted with the application to demonstrate that any resultant surface water generated by the development would be disposed of appropriately.

“In the absence of this information, it has not been demonstrated that the flood risk can be acceptably managed post development.”

Walker fans were patented in 1887 and the building housed a fan of just under seven metres in diameter.

Like many structures in the area, the fanhouse was constructed using red bricks.

In their proposals, the developers said the proposals should be looked on favourably by the council.

In a design and access statement they said: “The importance of the Walker Fanhouse has been recognised.

“The structure is listed as an ancient monument.

“However, our residential development proposal is outside the curtilage of the Walker Fanhouse and therefore having no impact on the ancient monument.”

The plans were refused by council officers using delegated powers.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).