Council housing plans set for approval despite concerns of loss of parking

Plans to build three new council homes on brownfield site look set to be given the go ahead despite local concerns over a lack of parking.

Members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee will debate the application for land at Derwent Crescent, in Acton, at a meeting this afternoon (Monday 2 October).

It has been proposed that hardstanding land opposite 35 Derwent Crescent is used for the small development.

Currently the site houses 11 garages. However Wrexham Council propose that the land is used to build three, one and half storey buildings, which are described as being contemporary in design and constructed of red facing brickwork.

These would be made up of one detached dwelling and two semi-detached, which will be used to “provide long-term housing for residents of Wrexham and will be used for family occupation.”

According to plans “proposed dwellings would have no rear-facing first floor windows serving habitable rooms.”

The ground floor windows in the rear elevation would serve a wet room (non-habitable room) and a modest sized kitchen.

A fence along the rear boundary would be sufficient to prevent direct overlooking.

It is noted in today’s planning documents that the homes would differ in appearance to the surrounding dwellings.

However despite the plans being recommended for approval by Wrexham Council’s chief planning officer, concerns have been raised by local residents and representatives about the loss of parking provision in the area.

Acton Community Council have called for the developer to ensure that adequate resident and visitor parking spaces are provided.

The local member expressed support for the re-use of brownfield sites but raised concerns about the lack parking provision for the occupiers of surrounding properties.

Similar parking concerns were raised by local residents, who said that added that construction noise will be detrimental to health and well-being and that the proposed boundary walls may result in security issues for adjacent properties.

Despite the issues raised the council’s highways officer raised no objection the to proposals.

Commenting on the concerns, the council’s chief planning officer David Fitzsimon, said: “Of the 11 garages on site only three have a tenants. These was all being offered an alternative garages in the locality.

“Whilst the concerns about loss of parking provision are noted, there are no allocated/designated parking spaces on the site for adjoining properties.

“Use of the site for parking by local residents is entirely at the discretion of the Council and access could be restricted or prevented by the Housing Authority irrespective of whether the development proceeds.

“Given that there would be no loss of allocated/designated parking provision, the development would not materially increase on-street parking in the vicinity.”

The officer added: “The proposal development is of an appropriate design and would not give rise to residential amenity or highway safety concerns. It therefore accords with the relevant UDP and draft LDP policies.”

The application will be discussed by members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee at 4pm on Monday 2 October.