Plans to create grassland for giant crested newts in Johnstown rejected

Plans to create grassland for giant crested newts on a brownfield site in Johnstown have been rejected.

The application was submitted in 2020 after proposals to create industrial units on a large builders site at Gutter Hill was refused.

At the time planners from Wrexham Council said they did not believe the development could accommodate the space required for delivery vehicles to manoeuvre.

There were also concerns about the impact the plans for the land would have on great crested newts.

However in 2020 fresh proposals were submitted for the “enhancement and creation of grassland” for great crested newts on the boundary of the site.

In a design and access statement the applicants argued: “Greenscape Environmental carried out an ecological appraisal and a copy of their report is submitted as part of the planning application.

“In conclusion the report states that no ecological constraints will have impact on the proposed developments, and have proposed ecological enhancements that will be provided as part of the works.

“The recommendations of Greenscape Environmental report will be fully adhered to and implemented as part of the development works.”

However the plans have now been refused by the interim head of planning at Wrexham Council via a delegated decision.

The officer said that: “Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed development would not result in an increase in phosphate levels which would be harmful to the River Dee and Bala Lake Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

“The proposal is therefore contrary to paragraph 6.4.18 of Planning Policy Wales and Policy EC6 of the Wrexham Unitary Development Plan.

“In this regard, the benefit of the scheme would not outweigh the identified harm that would be caused.

“Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposed development would not result in adverse harm being caused to an identified protected species, being Great Crested Newts from the Johnstown Newt site Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

“The site forms part of an identified Key Strategic network for Great Crested Newts and the replacement habitat mitigation proposed through this proposal is insufficient to demonstrate that there would be no adverse harm to the natural environment and local biodiversity as a result of the wider development of the site, contrary to the requirements of Policies PS2 and EC6 of the Wrexham UDP, LPGN32, LPG35 and with TAN 5.

“In this regard, the benefit of the scheme would not outweigh the identified harm that would be caused.”

*Picture: Planning documents