Crowdfunding campaign launched in bid to pay for judicial review into controversial Wrexham housing appeal

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched in a bid to pay for a judicial review into a controversial housing appeal decision in Wrexham.

Residents in New Broughton were left up in arms when plans to build more than 100 new homes in the village were given the green light by a planning inspector last month.

Wrexham Glyndwr University, which owns the land on Gatewen Road, was granted permission by the Planning Inspectorate despite Wrexham Council initially rejecting the proposals over concerns about the impact on traffic.

The university has since put the grazing field up for sale to help fund improvements worth £60 million to its main campus on Mold Road in the town.

Community leaders and residents were left angered after being taken by surprise by the issuing of the written decision as they were originally told the appeal would be the subject of a hearing.

Campaigners looking to protect the area of green barrier land have now started a fundraising drive with a target of £18,000 to challenge the inspector’s verdict through the courts.

In a post on their JustGiving page, they said: “An essential field on the green barrier and crucial to prevent flood for the surrounding houses has been authorised to be built on after a controversial appeal.

“COVID-19 was used to usher the flawed proposal through behind closed doors.

“This crowdfunding is to fight for the community, local school, Wrexham hospital and all other infrastructure that will suffer from this development.

“The money raised will allow us to start a judicial review.”

They added: “This planning application was originally and justifiably rejected upon vote by members of the planning committee.

“On the date of the appeal, those objectors’ voices were silenced as they had not been informed and only the officers, who recommended to grant, were aware of the changed procedure.”

It was expected that opponents would be able to have their say on the scheme for 112 houses as part of a joint inquiry, which was proposed alongside another rejected housing application by the university in Rhosnesni.

The inspectorate unexpectedly issued a written decision notice after the coronavirus crisis hampered efforts to hold a hearing.

New Broughton councillor Alan Edwards said the way the development was handled had left people feeling “betrayed”.

The inspectorate has previously defended the way the case was dealt with.

A spokesperson said: “The appeal was originally to be dealt with by a hearing but due to the restrictions put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus the hearing had to be cancelled.

“To avoid further delay, we were requested that the appeal be handled through the written representation process and this was agreed.

“Interested parties had been given the opportunity to make representations and submit comments on the appeal prior to the change in the process to written representations.

“In reaching a decision, inspectors will give full consideration to the views of all parties and the comments and evidence submitted at the time of the appeal, taking account of current planning legislation, policy and guidance.”

The campaigners’ JustGiving page can be found at: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/savenewbroughtonfield

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter