Site visit to determine if petrol station and drive-thru coffee shop plans are approved

A decision over plans to develop a petrol station and drive-thru coffee shop near Wrexham Golf Club has been deferred until a site visit has taken place.

Councillors last night debated the plans for the parcel of green barrier land alongside the Llanypwll link road, however failed to reach a majority vote on approving the plans as recommended by the council’s head of environment and planning.

Planning committee members had been divided over the plans throughout the debate, with some raising concerns about road safety and access on and off such a busy road.

The application is a scaled down version of plans put forward for the site in 2016, which include a drive thru takeaway, eateries and a petrol filling station. These plans were later rejected by the council.

A representative from the nearby Wrexham Golf Course, who spoke against the application yesterday, said: “Serious concerns about road safety have been made by golf club members who regularly use the access road about additional traffic.

“Members have reported already that they have difficulty in safely entering the roundabout due to the speed of traffic coming from the Chester Road.

“The situation with additional heavy traffic is unacceptable and we consider it will contribute to increased danger for road users.”

The spokesperson added that concerns had also been raised about the proximity to the planned development to the 11th hole of the course, noting: “Wrexham Council took this matter very seriously when the new road was being planned and were concerned about the liability from stray golf balls.

“We really do think this risk needs to be properly assessed with a proper risk assessment.”

However planning control officer David Williams described the plans as a “unique proposal” for the site and that other plans – such as residential  – for the land would normally be refused.

He added: “There are no facilities on the Wrexham Industrial Estate. In terms of the existing provision going northbound towards Chester, there is none in Wrexham County. The closest is the Posthouse in Chester and southbound you’d have to go beyond Gobowen Roundabout.

“It is a unique opportunity to meet the demand and it would help and enhance the attraction of Wrexham Industrial Estate.

“Other key point in terms of need and amenity is it would assist in many respects in vehicles deviating off the principle routes into the town centre to fill up and in itself would have benefits to reducing potential congestion in the town centre and impact on residential amenity.”

Cllr I David Bithell said his concerns about access and safety too and from the site remained and proposed a site visit prior to any final decision being made.

It was also noted that prior to the meeting Cllr Bill Baldwin, who represents Little Acton, had sent in his strong objections, stating that the development was contrary to green belt policy and that the council should wait until the completion of the LDP (Local Development Plan) and use land allocated for development for the facilities.

Cllr Paul Pemberton argued that the “benefits of the application outweigh the negatives” and that it wouldn’t result in an increase in traffic.

“I think the traffic using the road will be the traffic using it at this moment in time for the industrial estate,” he continued.

“What members and people are missing out on is this industrial estate is one of the largest in Europe. There is no facility there for HGV drivers to fill up within 10 mile either way, it is much needed and it will help.

“The benefits of this application outweigh the negatives and it goes without saying. I am happy with the officer’s recommendations subject landscape and to the mesh fencing.”

The vote once again saw councillors divided on the application, with a vote to approve the outline planning permission lost. A second vote for a site visit saw a split, with the casting vote in favour going to committee chairman Cllr Mike Morris.

A site visit will now take place on Friday 10th August, with a decision expected to be made later that afternoon. As usual the meeting is open to the public from 4pm or you can tune in via webcast.