Posted: Mon 2nd May 2016

Proposals For 56 New Houses In Gwersyllt Gets A Step Closer

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Monday, May 2nd, 2016

Outline proposals to develop almost 60 new homes on green barrier space have been recommended for approval. 

In a report due to go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee next Tuesday, it has been recommended that outline plans to develop 56 homes on Boozey Field, Gwersyllt are given the go ahead.

Initial plans for the development were lodged with Wrexham Council back in October 2015 – with the proposals consisting of of a ‘mixture of affordable, first time buyers and open market family dwellings’.

As the development is currently in outline stages, there are little details available about the properties themselves – however these would be provided at a later date if the outline plans are approved.

The proposals have been met with much criticism by both the Gwersyllt Community Council, local Councillor and neighbouring residents – all of which have raised concerns about the potential impact the development could have on the local area and the neighbouring residents.

Some of the concerns detailed in the report include loss of privacy, increase of pressures on schools, drainage problems and traffic.

One of the primary issues raised by both Gwersyllt Community Council and Cllr Arfon Jones is the proposed development on green barrier space – with the proposed development described as ‘ill considered as the site forms part of the green barrier and is outside the settlement limit’.

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Further comments listed by Cllr Jones state: “Boozey Field is in the green barrier and boundaries of green barriers should not be altered only in exceptional circumstances. I do not believe that the lack of a 5 year housing land supply is exceptional in this case and outweighs the purpose of the green barrier which is to safeguard the countryside from encroachment and to encourage the recycling of derelict and other urban land.”

Speaking about the loss of green barrier space, the Planning Officer notes that the development would not: “…undermine the openness of the green barrier as it is so well self-contained with mature, established boundary on all sides. Allowing the site to come forward would result in the controlled expansion of an urban area and assist in safeguarding further areas of the countryside from encroachment.”

Despite the concerns about increased pressures and potential dangers on Griffiths Road and Old Mold Road, Highways state: “There are no objections to the proposed development subject to highway improvements to be secured by planning conditions.”

Regarding traffic Planning Officer also states that: “A development of 56 dwellings will generate less than 1 vehicle per minute at peak hours. It is considered that this will have little detrimental impact on the existing highway network and the capacity assessment undertaken by the applicant confirms this.”

Further issues have also been raised by the local medical centre, which states: “The surgery is at capacity and is already taking patients from others practices. The practice cannot support the additional residents from this development.”

Addressing the concerns from the local medical centre, the Planning Officer notes the development’s proximity to the town centre and that residents can access medical care outside of the Gwersyllt area.

The report concludes: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the development of the site does not accord with all of the strategic policies relating to the site location, the proposal presents the opportunity to deliver without significant known difficulty, a high quality development which would make a significant contribution towards much needed housing.

“Whilst representing a departure from some of the policies of the adopted UDP, the development of the site is justified in this instance as contributing to the 5 year land supply whilst at the same time being in a sustainable location and providing an acceptable form of development.

“The proposal would not constitute inappropriate development because it would maintain the openness of the green barrier and does not conflict with the purpose of including the land within the green barrier. The development would make a positive contribution to the character and appearance of the area and I recommend accordingly.”

The report will go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee at 4pm on Tuesday 3rd May at 4pm. For those who cannot attend the meeting, it will be webcast live and later archived on the Wrexham Council website for a period of time.



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