Wrexham’s MP backs councillors over Local Development Plan rejection vote

Sarah Atherton MP has come out publicly to back councillors who voted not to adopt the Local Development Plan.

The development plan would formally allocate land across Wrexham where it is likely several thousand new houses could be built along with preferred sites across the county borough for retail and employment developments. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Last week a majority of councillors voted for a second time not to adopt the LDP, with the issue now set for a Judicial Review if the mystery complainants carry out their threat – with lots of subsequent reaction after the decision was made for the second time in the Guildhall chamber.

Wrexham’s MP also pointed to comments made to Wrexham.com by the Welsh Government Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters MS regarding the proposed 1,500 house development on Lower Berse Farm and the recent Roads Review related to the A483 junction upgrades  who said “I have just driven the junctions to see it for myself. I think adding large housing estates right on a congested junction is just asking for more trouble.”

Speaking later about Mr Waters’ comments, Sarah Atherton MP said: “I agree with the Deputy Minister’s comments. As we all know, the traffic congestion on the A483 junction is dreadful and many other roads across Wrexham are becoming more congested. This will not be helped when the Welsh Labour Government imposes 20mph blanket zones around the city.

“And is one of the many reasons why Wrexham Council decided to vote down the Local Development Plan. It’s encouraging that even Lee can see the problem! (Although, the Welsh Government’s Roads Review is the reason there are no upgrades to the A483 – or any other roads for that matter!)

“When the Welsh Labour Government want to introduce around 7,000 additional homes to an area – in the form of massive housing estates – the transport infrastructure needs to support this change. This also comes at a time when public transport funding for buses is being cut by the Government in Cardiff – and recent projections have the population of Wrexham falling over the coming years.

“It’s no wonder that Wrexham Council said no to the Local Development Plan. Whilst the local Member of the Senedd and Labour Councillors criticise their Councillor colleagues for upholding democracy, and representing residents’ interests, I believe those elected Council representatives who voted against the LDP were doing their job. The LDP will now go to judicial review for a judge to decide.”