Council to fight plan for 1450 homes between Bersham and Wrecsam

The proposed housing estate is the equivalent of 104 Racecourse pitches

Wrecsam Council's planning committee has agreed to fight plans by Redrow to build 1450 homes on prime agricultural land between Ruthin Road and Berse Road on the outskirts of the town. The land - known as Key Strategic Site 1 - was allocated for housing under the Local Development Plan, which has now been rejected by the council. It has asked the Welsh Government to withdraw the plan.

Officers recommended four reasons for rejecting the plans, which will go to appeal in the New Year for PEDW inspectors to decide its fate. The developer wasn't willing to wait to hear the outcome of a similar appeal on another Key Strategic Site on Holt Road. That development was for 600 homes as part of a wider scheme along the Cefn Road for a total of 1680 homes.

Councillor Marc Jones, the vice-chair of the planning committee and Plaid Cymru member for Grosvenor ward, said: "One lesson learned from the appeal on Holt Rd is that we need to be clear on the grounds for refusal. We can't raise objections at appeal unless they're agreed here at planning cmttee. So it's important to be as comprehensive as possible. So as well as the valid objections already detailed in the report - Highway capacity and safety, Archaeological, flooding and impact on the Dee River and Bala Lake Special Area of Conservation - there are other issues I'd like to raise.

The site is 73 hectares - to get a sense of scale that's the equivalent of 104 Racecourse grounds. It merges the village of Bersham with Wrecsam, creating urban sprawl that impacts on green spaces that separate distinct communities. It means the loss of Best and Most Versatile agricultural land, which makes up 81% of this site. 

"We're told development on such land should only take place where there is an 'overriding need' for the development. I contend there is not an overriding need when we have a falling population, existing planning permission for 3000 houses in the borough and a further 1600 properties lying empty. 

The need for this amount of extra housing in the LDP was based on population projections that said Wxm's population would increase by 20% by 2038. Census data and mid-year estimates show that our population as a borough is static and now predicted to fall by 1.5%. 

"So I'd like us to note that the overall housing numbers and the low numbers of affordable homes (just 15% under the LDP rather than 25% under the Unitary Development Plan) are reasons for objection by this committee.  Another strategic plan, Future Wales 2040, advises of the need for 53% affordable housing across north Wales and that is a more recent indication of the need for a higher percentage of affordable homes.

"In conclusion, I'd like to propose we expand the grounds of requesting the minister dismisses the appeal by including the principle of development."

The Welsh Government itself has advised against granting permission because of the inadequate junction on the A483 and Ruthin Road. There are also concerns about archaeological remains being damaged as well as serious concerns about flooding onsite and further downstream if the scheme was to proceed. 

Concerns have also been raised about the impact of the development on local infrastructure such as health services, transport and education.