Caravan park proposals for land next to Wrexham village pub look set to be approved

Plans to create a caravan park on land next to a village pub on the outskirts of Wrexham look set to be approved.

It comes despite two previous applications to put holiday lodges in the field north of the Hanmer Arms, which sits close to the Shropshire border, being thrown out by county planners.

The owners of the pub in the village of Hanmer put forward fresh proposals to provide a touring caravan park with ten pitches and an amenity building back in March.

They said the aim was to extend the existing offer of visitor accommodation.

Concerns were raised about the impact of the earlier schemes on the surrounding countryside.

However, the scheme has now been backed to go ahead by Wrexham Council’s chief planning officer, who said the site would be well concealed from the rest of the community.

In a report set to be considered by councillors next week, Lawrence Isted said: “The photographs submitted indicate that the proposal would be largely, if not completely screened from vantage points within the village, which is corroborated by the comments provided by the conservation officer who has no objection subject to a condition to secure further planting along the sites southern boundary.

“Screening during winter months would inevitably be reduced, therefore it is recommended that a condition to limit the use of the site to between April and September only would help to ensure sufficient time to allow vegetation along the site boundaries to mature, limiting the overall impact of the proposal on the surrounding area outside these months.

“On the basis of the above, whilst I consider that a landscaping plan should also be conditioned to secure some additional vegetation and planting along the site boundaries, particularly along the southern boundary, this requirement would be only to necessitate supplementation of the existing vegetation and landscaping and would not entail a new, high level of strategic landscaping.

“Overall and having regard to the information submitted by the agent, the site is considered to be relatively unobtrusive and is already well screened without the need for further landscaping.”

Some issues have been raised ahead of Monday’s planning committee meeting, where the proposals will be decided.

It includes claims from the local community council that it would not be in keeping with the village and would result in a “considerable amount” of light and noise pollution.

But Mr Isted said he considered the plans put forward to be acceptable.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter