Flood concerns over Redrow housing development site

The recent floods have raised new concerns about plans to build 1520 houses on green fields between Bersham and Wrexham says a local councillor.

The site at the Lower Berse Farm saw large parts of the fields under water during ‘Storm Babet’ and the subsequent flooding.

Offa councillor Kate Wilkinson, who has campaigned against the housing development along with Offa Community Council, said: “The current site is already prone to flooding and any new housing will increase the run-off from the site to other areas downstream. I’m incredibly concerned that the developers are willing to take this risk, knowing that climate change is happening as we speak and is forecast to get much worse. I think it’s irresponsible to be destroying green fields that provide natural soakaways and creating a huge swathe of urban sprawl that will cause problems for anyone on the new housing estate and those living nearby.

“I will continue to work with local residents to try to prevent this site from being developed for housing that will not meet local need.”

Councillor Becca Martin, of Plaid Cymru, has launched a petition to oppose the site being developed as a housing estate and added: “This is another good reason for Wrexham Council to refuse this planning application. It’s adding to the pressures on the environment – in terms of increased traffic, increased pollution and increased flood risk. Who would want to live on an estate that potentially could see these kinds of floods and facing difficult conversations with insurance companies.

“It makes the Welsh Labour Government’s decision to try to force through this site as one suitable for housing through the Local Development Plan all the more incredible. As things stand, they’re willing to allow developers to have their way rather than listen to local residents who will have to live with the consequences of any bad decision far into the future. I would urge the Welsh Government to rethink this LDP before it’s too late.”