Plans for over 90 new homes in Rhosrobin approved by slim majority of councillors

More than 90 new homes will be built in Rhosrobin after plans were given go ahead.

The application, by SG Estates, includes the development of 92 houses and apartments fields near Plas Acton Cemetery – along the Llay New Road.

Public open space, including a wildlife area, play area and the retention of an existing footpath route are also included within the proposals.

Changes to the layout on Llay New Road are also included in the plans, with the introduction of a new roundabout for those accessing the new development.

The plans themselves consist of a mixture of one, two, three, four and five bedroom houses – with 23 properties classed as ‘affordable homes’.

Speaking at a planning meeting on Monday (8 January) a representative for SG Estates, Nigel Thorns, said: “The LDP (Local Development Plan) was adopted in December, and so the site is now an allocated site for residential development.

“This allocation removes the historic issues of Green Wedge and ‘best and most versatile agricultural land’, which no longer apply.

“So the principle of development is acceptable. These 92 homes will help significantly towards the past under supply of housing in Wrexham

“There is a spine road with groups of houses centered around cul de sacs. There is a good range of property sizes from one to five bed homes, with good design features throughout and the scheme meets your space around dwellings policy.

“The scheme also includes 23 affordable houses for local people in housing need, which is a significant planning benefit. The scheme proposes more than double the required area of open space.

“The new roundabout access at the site entrance has been designed by our highway consultants in close collaboration with your highway engineers, and this provides a safe and convenient access to the site.”

He added additional information on traffic had been provided, that “concludes that the surrounding local road infrastructure can accommodate the level of additional traffic”.

However Gwersyllt South councillor Pete Howell, noted that hundreds of people from Rhosrobin, Pandy and Bradley had signed a petition opposing the development.

He argued that should the plans go ahead it would create an urban sprawl between Pandy and Rhosrobin and put pressure on existing infrastructure.

Cllr Howell said: I know we’ve heard it all before, but it’s true.

“An already busy road and busy junctions, loss of further precious green space, the loss of the established wildlife and trees on the proposed development field an increased air pollution when ironically the neighbouring A483 has permanent road speed restrictions to lower the emissions of nitrogen dioxide

“And that classic again, no thought given to extra infrastructure to deal with the increase in population and demand for local services services.

“The need for additional houses is not needed in that area, it has already seen planning permission granted for over 800 houses in a two mile radius since 2019.

“And an extra 650 homes, either in the planning process or on the horizon. I suggest it’s time that we prioritise the needs of our community and residents.”

Cllr Howell also called for Wrexham Council to consider the introduction of a Community Infrastructure Levy, which he argued the local authority could use to “charge on new developments” to support infrastructure improvements.

Grosvenor councillor Marc Jones questioned if there was “any point making objections or asking questions” if the land is allocated for housing in the Local Development Plan.

Cllr Jones said: “In the previous discussion we were told that this has been allocated for housing in the LDP and that’s therefore the end of it.

“So is there any point in making objections or asking questions with material planning concerns? Because I get the feeling there isn’t anymore.”

The committee was told that “relevant concerns not on matters such as urban sprawl or coalescence, which has been addressed in the LDP process” could still be considered.

Ruabon councillor Dana Davies called for clarity that the land designated in the plans designated as a wildlife area and public open space would be protected from future development.

Cllr Davies was told that as that section of land was “outside the LDP policy” then it would be possible to refuse.

The plans were approved with six councillors voting in favour, three against and several abstentions.

It was the second large scale housing development to be approved by a slim majority of planning committee members.

Earlier that evening seven councillors voted to approve outline plans to build up to 455 new homes on land known locally as ‘Circus Field’ near the B&Q Roundabout.