Plans to use pub site for six new homes recommended for approval

Plans to convert a former pub and the surrounding site into new homes could soon be given the go ahead.

Members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee will consider the application for the Oak Tree Inn on Ruabon Road on Monday.

As part of the plans the pub would be converted into three two-storey houses, while three further new properties would be built at the rear of the property by extending an outbuilding.

The application was submitted after its owners said it was no longer viable as a commercial enterprise.

Lawrence Isted, the council’s chief officer of planning and regulatory, has recommended that the application is approved by planning committee members.

However the proposals have been opposed by the local community council, who argue that the development would have a “negative impact on the appearance of this historically important building and the surrounding conservation area.”

Concerns have also been raised by a number of local residents who say the development will lead to additional on-street parking, that it is out of keeping with the area, nearby houses and the old tavern and that there is a lack of amenity space for the new dwellings.

The local councillor, Alun Jenkins, has also suggested that although the amended plans are a “considerable improvement”, he still opposes the development due it not complying with council and planning policies not “meeting the standards that we would require”.

He has also questioned how long the building was marketed for and suggests that there are “some local people who might be interested in continuing the pub use as a social enterprise, but there has not been the opportunity to pursue this.”

But the chief officer of planning and regulatory says the property was “extensively marketed by way of e-marketing” and “for sale boards were attached to the premises.”

He continues onto say: “Whilst the proposals will make only a modest contribution to the overall
housing supply, they will nevertheless result in the re-use of previously developed land in a sustainable location.

“Furthermore, small sites (i.e. developments of between 1-9 dwellings) have made up 30% of the total supply over the 2013-2019 period.

“Small sites also make up an important component of the expected supply likely to be delivered by windfall sites (i.e. sites not specifically allocated for housing in the LDP), with 75 dwellings on small sites expected to be delivered each year until 2028- equating to 675 dwellings in total or 9% of the total housing requirement.

“Taking all of the factors discussed above into account, in my opinion the overall planning balance lies in favour of the development, subject to detailed matters of design being acceptable.

“Whilst the loss of the public house is regrettable I am satisfied that sufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that marketing has been carried out and has proved unsuccessful.

“Furthermore the loss of the facility will not leave local residents without alternative provision and therefore do not significantly harm the social and economic fabric of the area.

“The proposals will result in an acceptable form of residential development that is sympathetic to the existing character of the site and preserves the character of the conservation area.

“The proposals will not give rise to unacceptable impacts upon residential amenity or highway safety. As such they accord with the relevant UDP policies.”

The application will be considered for approval by planning committee members on Monday 4th November at 4pm. The meeting will also be webcast on the Wrexham Council website.