Plans for new homes in Johnstown set for approval next week

Plans to build 10 new homes in the Johnstown area could be given the go ahead next week.

An application submitted to Wrexham Council proposes that the dwelling are built on land off High Street, near the local primary school.

The plans include the demolition of the existing buildings, which were last used for storage with associated offices, to make way for the development of 4 x 2 bedroom, 2 x 3 bedroom and 4 x 4 bedroom properties.

However concerns have been raised by the local community council and councillor about water discharge and “what arrangements are in place for sewer upgrades.”

Rhos Community Council adds that there is an existing problem with “water discharging on to the road and running down Heol Maelor, previously the rear gardens have flooded on Heol Maelor.”

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has also raised a series of concerns and has called for the application to be approved only if conditions to prevent any development until a Reasonable Avoidance Measures scheme and a site wide Biosecurity Risk Assessment have been submitted.

However the development has been recommended for approval by Lawrence Isted, Chief Officer Planning and Regulatory, who says the plans are an “appropriate re-use” of the site.

In a report due before planning committee members on Monday (April 12) Mr Isted said: “Welsh Water have confirmed that they do not have any concerns about the capacity of the local sewer network to accommodate the development.

“The application is accompanied by a drainage plan which indicates the development will connect to a foul sewer located to the east of the site, however this be subject to a separate agreement between Welsh Water and the applicants.

“In respect of surface water, the submitted plans show the provision of an area set aside for the provision of a retention basin. This will need to be the subject to a separate the Council as SuDs Approval Body (SAB) before construction begins.

“In light of that, I do not consider it necessary to impose a drainage condition because this would unnecessarily duplicate controls imposed by other legislation.”

In terms of the request from NRW in respect of Great Crested Newts, Mr Isted notes that “this is something that can be required by condition and subject to their implementation, the proposal is not likely to be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of GCN at a favourable conservation status in its natural range.

He adds: “This is an appropriate re-use of a previously developed site.

“The scheme is acceptable in respect of layout, design, site access and parking provision and will not adversely impact upon the standard of amenity afforded to nearby occupiers nor will it result in unacceptable impacts upon protected species or the nearby SAC.

“As such I am satisfied the proposals accord with the relevant UDP policies.”

The application will be considered for approval, subject to financial contributions towards primary school provision and off-site public open space at a virtual meeting on Monday 12 April at 4pm.

The meeting will also be streamed live on the Wrexham Council website.