Decision to refuse plans for 31 homes in Wrexham blasted as ‘unfounded and unreasonable’

A decision to refuse plans to build 31 new homes in a village in Wrexham has been blasted as “unfounded and unreasonable”.

It follows an appeal being launched over proposals to transform an area of land off Bottom Road in Summerhill.

Planning officers from Wrexham Council rejected the scheme in August as they said it would fall outside the development boundary for the village.

They added that concerns over surface water drainage and the risk of flooding had not been properly addressed.

Antoni Jones, who is behind the plans, has now lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to have the decision overturned.

In an appeal statement, consultants acting on his behalf criticised the local authority for denying permission, as well as the fact it does not currently have an approved Local Development Plan.

They said: “It is clear that the application site is indeed located outside the existing settlement boundary and development will encroach in to open countryside.

“However, the perceived harm to the character and appearance of the area needs to be weighed against the urgent and pressing need to increase housing land supply.

“The Adopted Unitary Development Plan (UDP) only covers the period of 1996 to 2011 and it would appear that Wrexham County Borough will not have an adopted Local Development Plan in place until 2021 at the earliest.

“Where a 5 year housing land supply does not exist, TAN1 (Technical Advice Note One) indicates that the need to increase supply should be given considerable weight when dealing with planning applications.”

They added: “It is the appellant’s position that the planning balance weighs significantly in favour of the lack of a five year housing land supply and this outweighs the limited change to the character and appearance of the area which would result from the development.

“The appellant is of the opinion that the officer has misjudged the weight which should be properly attached to each consideration and the decision to refuse planning permission is therefore unfounded and unreasonable.”

Proposals for around double the amount of houses were refused for land covering the same site and nearby fields in 2016.

The decision was later upheld on appeal by inspectors as they agreed it would be outside the village’s boundaries.

In documents accompanying the latest application, developers said it would deliver social and economic benefits for the area, but officers concluded it would harm the appearance of the surrounding countryside.

The decision was supported by Gwersyllt north councillor Phil Rees.

Speaking in August, he said: “Thanks to everyone who joined myself and Gwersyllt Community Council in opposing this inappropriate development, especially those of you who submitted your own objections.

“It remains to be seen whether a different application will be submitted, or the decision appealed, but it’s difficult to see how the fundamental problems with this location can be overcome.

“Plaid Cymru councillors will continue to oppose inappropriate development, and press for development that provides affordable housing, more bungalows and retirement homes, more starter homes for young families, and housing that meets the needs of the local population rather than developers.”

The appeal will be decided by an inspector appointed by the Welsh Government at a later date.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter