Council Leader reiterates Local Development Plan opposition: “Our group will not support the gypsy and traveller site in a country park”

The Leader of Wrexham Council has restated his group’s opposition to the Local Development Plan ahead of a key meeting with Inspectors next week.

As we first reported on the 20th of November, major political support had been pulled from the possible Local Development Plan (LDP) that is currently subject to ‘inspection’.

Taking questions on Tuesday over a report on the future Council Plan for Wrexham, we noted it included reference to measures of success that could depend on the LDP being finalised, for example areas of Wrexham Industrial Estate redevelopment “post LDP finalisation”, as well as several references to land identified in the LDP for various development schemes.

We asked the Council Leader what would happen if the LDP failed, either to be adopted or if found unsound by Inspectors.

The Council are set to meeting the inspection team on the 9th of November.

Council Leader Mark Pritchard told us, “Our group has made it very clear where we stand with the local development plan 2, I think the most important thing is now that we let the process take its place, that the meeting between Wrexham’s officials and the Inspectors takes place and see what comes from that.”

“Our group has made our position clear. I understand the question, but I really don’t want to go there at this moment in time, because I think it’s important that the process takes place.”

“We made it very clear why we came out at this moment in time, because of the Inspectors letter and what was said, that letter is public and on our portal for everyone to see.”

“I will take this opportunity, and every opportunity I have, to say that myself or our group will not support the gypsy and traveller site in a country park, not just within the location proposed, anywhere across Wrexham.”

“We will not move on that. I always think is better for the people of Wrexham to understand the feeling of politicians, because we represent you, and our group will not budge on it. We will not support the gypsies and travellers in the country park.”

Cllr David A Bithell expanded on his previous comments to Wrexham.com adding, “Obviously, we are still in the period of examination by the Inspectors so we need to be careful, because as I said in my statement last week we are in the process and we need to complete the process before members make a decision on the direction of travel, I think that’s the right and proper way to do business. Members during the democratic process can make the decision on the local development plan.”