Rejecting Wrexham's Local Development Plan vital to halt huge housing estate scheme

Cllr Kate Wilkinson, Plaid Cymru Offa ward

Plans by housing developer Redrow to build more than 1500 homes on the Lower Berse Farm site demonstrate how important it is to reject Wrexham's Local Development Plan.

The planning application for the huge new housing estate, which would include a new school and water treatment works, has now been submitted to Wrexham Council, even though the LDP has still not been accepted.

The LDP allocates that farmland off the Ruthin Road for housing, something that has prompted Wrexham councillors to reject its own plan twice. The existing Unitary Development Plan designates that land as green fields and would not permit housing on the site.

The final decision on the LDP sits with the Welsh Government, which has so far refused to accept the vote against the new plan.

Cllr Becca Martin, of Plaid Cymru, said: "As a group, Plaid Cymru councillors have said all along that voting for this Local Development Plan would give developers the green light to build in the countryside on all sides of Wrexham, increasing urban sprawl and putting added pressure on overstretched services and infrastructure. This planning application is seeking to take advantage of the draft plan, even though it's not been accepted, and develop a housing estate on good agricultural land.

"Wrexham's population is currently static and predicted to fall in coming years, our services are stretched to breaking point and nearby roads are already overloaded. This giant housing development will make matters worse.

"It's vital that the Welsh Government listens to the people of Wrexham on this matter - they must rethink the LDP they're seeking to impose on Wrexham rather than dance to the tune of large housing developers."

Cllr Kate Wilkinson, who represents the Offa ward next to the proposed development, added: "Hundreds have signed a petition against this plan and residents are ready to fight this planning application all the way. We understand that the best way to do that is by stopping the LDP but we will use all tools at our disposal to make the case for building affordable houses on brownfield sites rather than trashing our countryside with executive housing."