Plans for new homes in Rossett facing rejection for second time

Plans to build new homes on land in Rossett could be rejected for a second time.

Urban Developments Limited submitted an application to redevelop the Gamford House site, on Gamford Lane in Rossett, in October 2023.

The applicants proposed that 10 “sustainable carbon zero detached” homes are built on the land, which has been vacant for the last decade.

In document submitted at the time the applicants explained: “The proposal is for a mixed use of residential and commercial units on a brownfield site with a lawful designation as mixed use.

“A landscaping scheme will form an integral part of the design in mitigating impacts upon the open countryside as well as enhancing the character of the site.”

It is the second time that plans had been submitted for the site, with Wrexham Council rejecting proposals to build nine properties along with an office/bungalow last May.

At the time the reasons for refusal included a lack of information to show that the development would not negatively impact the rural nature of the countryside and protected species.

However the revised application could also be thrown out after Wrexham Council’s chief planning officer said the plans would “have a harmful urbanising effect on the site and immediate locality.”

David Fitzsimon made the comments in a report due to be debated by members of the council’s planning committee on Monday 4 March.

The report notes that the plans have received no objection from the Rossett Community Council, local councillors, or Welsh Water.

However concerns were raised by the council’s education department over “insufficient secondary school provision” in the area.

The department requested a financial contribution from the developer if the plans were approved.

Concerns were also raised by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) over “inadequate information submitted in respect of foul drainage and protected species.”

In the report Mr Fitzsimon states that although the proposed development would “make a positive contribution to the housing land supply in Wrexham”, the plans themselves would go against the Local Development Plan (LDP).

He added that whilst “the overall standard of design would be high, the layout, form and appearance of the development would be urban in character, being at odds with the rural/agricultural character of the surrounding area.”

Mr Fitzsimon said: “The site lies outside of a settlement.

“The proposed development conflicts with PPW12 (Planning Policy Wales) and LDP policies regarding residential development in the countryside.

“Furthermore, the development would have a harmful urbanising effect on the site and immediate locality.

“In addition, insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposals would not have an adverse impact on the protected species.”

The application will be considered by planning committee members on Monday 4 March at 4pm. The meeting will be webcast on the Wrexham Council website,