Plans for £50m greenhouse project in Wrexham allowed on appeal

Developers behind plans to build two large greenhouses in Wrexham have won their appeal to overturn a decision by Wrexham Council.

The plans, by Brighton-based Low Carbon Farming, to install two 7.6 hectare commercial greenhouses on land west of Sesswick Way Marchwiel were rejected by Wrexham Council.

Planning officers at the time announced they had denied permission for the project because of concerns over the scale of the development, as well as the impact on traffic and local wildlife.

The firm hit out at delays by Wrexham Council in deciding on the plans, which it said meant it had missed out on UK Government tariffs.

The plans were refused via a delegated decision – meaning it was not a decision made by the planning committee.

Other reasons for its rejection included the proposed development lying outside of the settlement limit and the risk of flooding.

An appeal was submitted in April last year by the developers, who argued the development, which would be located next to Dwr Cymru’s Five Fords waste water treatment works, would bring economic benefits to the area.

The company said the scheme would deliver 150 jobs and supply 40 per cent of the tomatoes consumed in Wales.

However council’s decision has now been overturned by the planning inspectorate, which has approved the application.

Planning inspector Nicola Gulley found that the “proposal would constitute and appropriate form of development in the countryside which, subject to conditions, would not have an adverse impact on the visual qualities of the surrounding area or the wider landscape.”

The development itself will consist of two greenhouses used to capture both heat and carbon emissions from the Dwr Cymru facility.

The intention is to then use the waste products to grow significant quantities of low carbon fresh produce at the site.

It also includes a packing and welfare building and a carbon dioxide recovery plant, which harvests all waste emissions from the Five Fords WwTW anaerobic digester facility, would be located south-east of the treatment works.

During her investigation the planning inspector found that the proposal would not, “subject to a condition requiring the provision and implementation of a detailed landscape mitigation scheme, have a detrimental impact on the visual qualities of the area or wider landscape.”

She added that the development would “meet an agricultural need and that there is no other suitable alternative location for the proposal.”

Concluding her report, Ms Gulley said: “Drawing this together, I conclude that the proposal would constitute and appropriate form of development in the countryside which, subject to conditions, would not have an adverse impact on the visual qualities of the surrounding area or the wider landscape.

“Furthermore, although not an overriding factor, I consider that the potential sustainability and economic benefits of the proposed development would assist in meeting the objectives of national and local policies in seeking to address climate change and ensuring that Wales has a diverse and resilient economy.

“In respect of the effect on the River Dee and Lake Bala SAC, I have found that the proposed development would not, either individually or in combination, adversely affect the integrity of the SAC.

“As such, I consider that the proposed development accords with the objectives of Future Wales, PPW, Tan 6 and Policies PS1, PS2, PS4, EC3 and GP1 of the adopted UDP.

“For the aforementioned reasons, and taking into account all matters raised, I recommend that the appeal be allowed.”