Plans to build 10 new homes on Rossett farm look set for approval

Plans to build houses on a farm where permission has twice been refused look set to go ahead.

Wrexham Council rejected two applications to convert barns at Broad Oak Farm on Llyndir Lane into 18 homes last year because of the impact on the countryside.

Meanwhile, appeals relating to those decisions lodged by developer Shaun Trowbridge were recently thrown out by the Planning Inspectorate.

However, a revised scheme to transform the site into 10 new homes has been backed for approval.

It comes after the local authority’s chief planning officer said the main reasons for refusal had been addressed.

In a report, Lawrence Isted said: “Pre-application discussions have been undertaken with the agent since the above planning application refusals were issued and the agent was advised of the amount of development that would be considered acceptable in principle by the local planning authority.

“This current application has combined both previous sites into one and seeks to address the previous reasons for refusal.

“As part of the scheme the proposal would involve demolishing a number of buildings, which would reduce the overall massing and built form on the site.

“The application site is considered to be contained within the existing and would not extend or encroach any further into green barrier/open countryside, beyond the existing.

“The impact on the green barrier is considered to be appropriate and would not result in harm to existing levels of openness.”

Concerns were previously raised by the council that some of the buildings were not suitable for conversion.

Mr Isted said three barns would be converted while a number would be demolished to make way for new properties.

Meanwhile, a section of one of the demolished buildings would be retained to protect bats.

The granting of permission would be subject to securing a contribution of almost £29,000 towards Darland Secondary School in Rossett.

The proposals will be discussed by members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, 7 May.

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