Plans for 24 houses submitted for former appeal site in Chirk

Plans to build more than 20 houses on ‘vacant greenfield’ land in Chirk have been submitted.

In an application lodged with Wrexham Council it has been proposed that 24 new homes are built on land north of Station Avenue in Chirk.

Planning permission for up to 22 dwelling and associated works already exists on the site, after initial proposals for the land were granted on appeal in summer 2018.

Outline plans to build houses on the site were originally refused by planning committee members in August 2017 after councillors said the development would result in the loss of two protected trees in the Chirk Conservation Area.

However in August 2018 the Local Democracy Scheme reported that planning inspector Iwan Lloyd said there was ‘no tangible evidence’ to support the claim and removing them would have a ‘neutral impact’ on the conservation area given that replacements would be planted.

Speaking at the time Chirk South councillor Terry Evans criticised the decision and said he believes the homes will lie too close to the Mondelez and Kronospan factory sites.

The new plans to build 24 three and four bedroom detached houses have been submitted by architectural and planning consultants, D S Jones & Co.

Details provided within the application’s design and access, explain: “The optimum amount and type of development in this location has been considered carefully and constitutes a mix of 24No. detached, 3 and 4 bedroomed family homes, designed in a simple yet traditional form with a strong emphasis on creating attractive street scenes and strong connections with Station Avenue and the adjoining open space to the east.

“The development, undertaken in the manner proposed will harmonise with the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, scale, design, layout, use of space, materials, external appearance and landscaping and in so doing will preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the area.

“The density of the proposed development represents the most efficient use of the land having regard to the simple topography of the site and the need to make provision for areas of open space.”

As part of the development it has also been proposed that two areas of open space to the northern and southern sections are created.

The document continues onto say that a “Section 106 Agreement is attached to this planning permission requiring the formation of a Resident’s Management Committee to oversee the maintenance and management” of the open space.

Access to the new development would be provided by a new road from Station Avenue and will involve the removal of the two protected trees which led to councillors refusing the plans two years ago.

The application will be considered for approval at a later date.