“Will developers vote with their feet?” – Planning Committee decision could stall Henblas St redevelopment amid claims of ‘blackmail’ by developers

The leader of Wrexham Council has warned politicians that a decision they took this week could have damaged attempts to regenerate the town centre, putting off future developers.

Angry councillors chose to reject an attempt by the Mandale Group, which has been working to create more than 50 apartments above empty shops on Henblas Square, to get out of an already agreed condition.

The company wanted to reduce their contribution towards the cost of affordable housing from around £300,000 to just under £29,000 amid claims the original requirement would render the scheme unviable.

However, members of the authority’s planning committee accused the firm of misleading them on Monday and said they wanted to take a stand. The future of the proposals is now up in the air with planning permission effectively removed, and the Mandale Group yet to clarify whether it will appeal the decision.

Council leader Mark Pritchard has now expressed his disappointment at the outcome and cautioned that it could put developers off working in the area, while noting the ‘respected’ the independent decision.

He said: “I think a lot of individuals have to look themselves in the mirror and say, ‘was that the right decision?’

“If you want the town to change and then you have decisions which go against the town then I think it’s very difficult.

“It will be interesting to see what developers do, will they vote with their feet?

“If they do, then the premises will still sit empty and there’s no future development.

“I’ve always said that we want to send a message out that Wrexham and the town is open for business, and it’s so important.”

A revised viability appraisal put forward by the company was considered by the planning committee earlier this week, which showed a profit of just over £250,000 if the changes were allowed. Council officers had recommended the lesser contribution for approval after highlighting that profit levels were an important consideration.

They also warned councillors that the authority was unlikely to win if there was an appeal against the decision.

Nevertheless, the majority raised their hands to reject the application.

There was a stern rebuke for the firm from Labour councillor Graham Rogers, who said despite the urgent need to transform the town, the council should not give in to developers where conditions have already been agreed.

He told colleagues: “I firmly believe as an individual that we’ve been blackmailed.

“The town definitely needs regeneration and we can’t argue with that because Wrexham’s in a mess, but I firmly believe that if we agree with what’s being put forward tonight it will come and bite us.

“Come Hell or high water I will not be supporting this.”

The Mandale Group has been asked to comment on the decision.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).