Preparation for Wrexham’s Local Development Plan seven months behind schedule

A revised timetable for the preparation of Wrexham’s Local Development Plan 2 has been put forward, with the current plan seven months behind schedule.

In a report put before Wrexham Council’s Executive Board this week, members were asked to note the reasons for the delay and to approve the revised Wrexham Local Development Plan (LDP2) Delivery Agreement for submission to the Welsh Government for agreement.

Work on Wrexham’s new LPD 2, which outlines preferred sites across the county borough for housing, retail and employment developments, has been ongoing for several years.

The document lays out the preferred development strategy for the next 12 years and upon adoption it will replace the current adopted Unitary Development Plan (1996 – 2011) and be the basis for decisions on land use planning for the County Borough of Wrexham.

It also focused on achieving sustainable development and will provide a long-term strategy for land use and development in the County Borough throughout the plan period.

Last year a public consultation asking residents for their views on the proposed strategy for the next 12 years was held by Wrexham Council.

Those who follow planning meetings in Wrexham will be aware that the local authority’s lack of development plan has been citied several times by developers who are submitting large (and small) applications.

However in the report presented to councillors earlier this week it was explained that preparation for the plan is seven months behind where it should be ‘in accordance with the revised delivery agreement’.

Speaking at this week’s meeting, lead member for planning and corporate services, Cllr David Kelly explained that there were five causes for the lag – including a delay in the publication of key evidence from the Welsh Government.

Other reasons included issues and changes with recruitment, membership changes to the Planning Policy Panel and the need for key evidence to support the required infrastructure delivery associated with the plan’s proposed allocations.

Restrictions on publicity during the local and general elections, were also cited as reasons for the delay.

Under the revised timetable, it is assumed that the revised Local Development Plan 2 could be in place by spring 2019.