Outline Plans For Housing Development on Green Barrier Space Granted

Plans to build almost 60 new homes on green barrier space in Wrexham have moved a step forward, with councillors approving outline plans for the development.

Earlier this month Wrexham.com reported that Wrexham’s Planning Committee were to debate an outline planning application for 56 new homes on Boozey Field in Gwersyllt.

The outline application had been debated by councillors at a meeting at the start of May, however the Planning Committee agreed to go on a site visit prior to making any final plans on the proposed development.

In this month’s earlier meeting much of the concern raised by councillors centred around the intrusion into green barrier space and the potential traffic issues that could arise on what is already a busy road.

However Planning Officer David Williams noted that there Committee will have to debate applications in the future which will propose developments on green barrier space.

Mr Williams said: “We did have lengthy discussion on site and I hope you saw what you needed to with the impact on the green barrier. I think we are all familiar with and recognise the need for additional housing land in Wrexham.

“I think it’s a situation where you can refuse the site on the circumstances that it’s outside the settlement limit. I think there will be occasions no doubt in the future where that will be the case, but we need to look at each application on its own merit and the special characteristics of each site.”

He added: “In this case you can see from the planning application that it does represent a logical extension to the settlement. We do have a new defensive boundary off Griffiths Road which is fixed. It is well connected to the existing settlement and the sense of enclosure given the fact the trees along the frontage will be retained.”

Chairman Michael Morris added that in the next 12 months there will be some ‘difficult sites and decisions put forward’.

Along with the green barrier one of the other key issues raised in the early Planning Meeting was with regards to potential traffic issues the development may cause.

Mr Williams noted that there are proposals to widen Griffiths Road and extend the 30mph speed limit on Summerhill Road. He added that the highways works will be funded by the developers and not by the local authority.

Addressing the highways concerns, Cllr Morris requested that the funding of the works is made clearer within the report.

Speaking about the proposals, Cllr I David Bithell said: “I support the application in principle, but there are two factors I’d like to cover. The first was the junction of Mold Road leading to Griffiths Road. I’d like to see a condition adding streetlights up that lane.

“My main concern is with regards to open spaces. I’ve said it in previous meetings, is with respects of the development putting money into another area like the Moss Valley. I’d like to see investment on that site itself as it’s going to be a hazardous route to Moss Valley.”

A representative from the Highways Department noted that the application is in outline stages, however will ensure that street lighting is taken from Old Mold Road to the access of the site.

Cllr Mike Edwards added: “I do support this but do want to remind myself that this is outside settlement and I am not doing this lightly. I make certain conditions for myself and certainly the fact this is totally containable by that road is a big plus. As far as Griffiths Road is concerned, I am glad we went as in most places wider than I imagined.”

However adjoining ward member, Cllr Bernie McCann stated that Gwersyllt has been targeted by ‘every developer under the sun’ and that he could not support the application.

He added: “The population of Gwersyllt is larger than the town of Mold, it’s already saturated – where do we stop. Is this the thin edge of the wedge?

“What about the schools and the surgery? I don’t feel I can support this.”

Similar concerns were raised by Cllr Andrew Bailey, who said that while on paper the development looked like a ‘logical extension’ – in reality it would be an urban intrusion into the open countryside.

The outline application for 56 houses was passed with nine members of the Committee voting in favour of the development and two voting against.

Is it expected that a final planning application will be submitted to Wrexham Council at a later date.