Controversial plans for over 90 homes between Pandy and Rhosrobin set for approval
Controversial plans to build more than 90 homes on fields between Pandy and Rhosrobin could be approved next week.
The application, submitted by SG Estates in 2021, proposes that 92 houses and apartments are built on fields near Plas Acton Cemetery.
The plans had been due to be considered by planning committee members at the tail end of last year.
However with a decision over the future of Wrexham’s Local Development Plan (LDP) still pending at the time, the proposals were pushed back until the outcome of a Judicial Review.
Last month just 26 of the elected 56 councillors voted to implement the LDP after a majority chose to either abstain or not attend the meeting.
With Wrexham now having an adopted Local Development Plan, large scale housing applications that have been pending for several months will likely start to come before the planning committee for consideration.
On Monday (8 January) councillors will be asked to approve the plans for 92 new homes on land opposite St Peters Close, on Llay New Road.
Applicants SG Estates have proposed that a mixture of one, two, three, four and five bedroom homes are built on the land.
Of these 23 would be classed as affordable dwellings – which would comprise of 12 x 2 bedroom flats and 11 x 2 bedroom terraced dwellings.
Public open space, including a wildlife area, play area and the retention of an existing footpath route are also featured within the proposals.
The plans also include further changes to the Llay New Road / Rhosrobin Road, with the addition of a second new roundabout on the stretch of road.
Despite being recommended for approval by Wrexham Council’s chief planning officer, David Fitzsimon, the proposals have faced fierce opposition from members of the community and local representatives.
Gwersyllt Community Council have put forward several objections to the application, including the loss of green barrier space, an increase in traffic, the loss of biodiversity and the pressure a number of large scale housing developments in Gwersyllt are putting on overstretched services.
Local councillor Pete Howell hit out at the “urban sprawl” which is causing the “loss of the individual identities of Rhosrobin and Pandy.”
Councillor Pete Howell
He also raised concerns about the loss of green space, an increase in air pollution, the worsening of traffic on the Llay New Road and lack of affordable housing allocated in the planned development.
An online petition opposing the plans, launched by Cllr Howell, also gained almost 300 signatures from residents in the local area.
51 representations were also made to the council opposing the plans, with residents raising concern about the merging of Pandy and Gwersyllt.
Other issues raised within the community include a lack of amenities in the area, questions over the safety of a new roundabout, a lack of affordable housing and the loss of green space in the area.
Wrexham Council received one representation in support of the plans, with the individual arguing that the development is “urgently needed”.
Despite concerns about an increase in traffic in the area, the council’s highways department have submitted no objections to the development.
Welsh Water have also submitted to no objections to the plans, stating that the Five Fords Waste Water Treatment Works has “capacity to treat additional wastewater from the proposed development within revised environmental permit limits.”
A request has also been made by the education department for a financial contribution from the developers for Ysgol Bryn Alyn due to “insufficient secondary school provision in the locality to accomodate pupils generated by the development.
In his report Mr Fitzsimon said: “The proposed development is a significant departure from UDP policies, being located outside of a defined settlement limit and within a Green Barrier.
“However the UDP is long time expired. The proposed housing development would take place within a draft LDP housing allocation.
“The LDP has been found sound by the LDP Inspectors and is afforded very significant weight in consideration of the application.
“Indeed, Members should be aware that to refuse on the grounds of conflict with UDP policies PS1 and EC1 would put the Council at risk of the significant likelihood of an award of costs in any subsequent planning appeal.
“The plans ensure an appropriate form of development would be undertaken on the site in terms of layout, form, open space provision, ecological enhancement, trees, landscaping and parking.
“The open space and landscaping would provide areas for informal recreation whilst also enhancing the biodiversity value of the site and providing areas for surface water drainage. The scheme therefore accords with relevant UDP and LDP policies in respect of detailed matters.
“The proposed housing development would take place within a LDP housing allocation.
“The plans ensure an appropriate form of development would be undertaken on the site in terms of layout, form, open space provision, ecological enhancement, trees, landscaping and parking.
“The open space and landscaping would provide areas for informal recreation whilst also enhancing the biodiversity value of the site and providing areas for surface water drainage.
“The scheme therefore accords with relevant LDP policies in respect of detailed matters.”
Mr Fitzsimon has recommended the approval of the plans subject to “the completion of a Planning Obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the provision of 23 affordable houses, contributions to additional secondary education provision and the management and maintenance the onsite public open space and habitat mitigation area (with the Chief Officer Economy and Planning given delegated authority to determine the final form and content of the Obligation)”
The plans will be considered for approval by members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee at 4pm on Monday 8 December.
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