Calls for flood risk status of derelict land in Wrexham to be changed amid fears it could become ‘blight’ on town

Calls have been made for the flood risk status of a derelict area of land in Wrexham to be changed amid fears it will become a “blight” on the town centre.

There are currently a number of empty plots along Bridge Street, Brook Street and St. Giles Way, close to the parish church.

Councillors met earlier this week to discuss proposals to convert the first and second floors of a former nightclub on the corner of Brook Street into ten apartments.

It would also see a new four-storey building housing 28 apartments constructed on a connecting area on Bridge Street.

The scheme was recommended for refusal by planning officers as the site is located within a C2 flood risk area near the River Gwenfro, where there are no significant flood defences in place.

However, Councillor Alun Jenkins, who represents the ward the land falls under, asked for the application to be put on hold to allow a meeting to take place with Natural Resources Wales (NRW) over its classification.

He warned planning committee members that refusing the development on flood risk grounds would prevent the empty sites from being regenerated.

He said: “My concern is the refusal of this application is being recommended solely on flood risk grounds, which sets such a huge precedent and would mean that the future application for redevelopment in the area would be impossible to approve.

“It would put virtually a blight on the whole of that part of town.

“We’re talking about big developments here. There’s a site on the opposite side of Bridge Street, going down onto St. Giles way, and alongside the river beneath the parish church.

“There’s a huge site there waiting for redevelopment. If we turn this one down today, then we would have to turn any application down on the same grounds, because that’s even closer to the river.”

Cllr Jenkins said he originally called for a meeting to be held between the council, landowners and NRW earlier in the year, which had to be cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis.

The site under consideration has been empty since a number of shops were bought and demolished by the Welsh Development Agency in partnership with the local authority in the early 2000s.

Lingar Holdings, which is behind the development, claims it will greatly improve the appearance of the area.

Planning officer David Williams said the report had been brought to the committee as he was “under pressure” to make a decision, but that he understood Cllr Jenkins’ position.

Cllr Mike Morris, who chaired the meeting, said he also agreed that consideration of the scheme should be delayed as he could not recall the area flooding before.

He said: “I know I’m getting on in years, but I don’t think in my lifetime I’ve ever seen Bridge Street or Brook Street flooding to that extent.

“I do think it’s something that merits further discussion really, which would perhaps help future applicants and the local member.”

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter