Appeal over plans to build 44 new houses in Wrexham village is thrown out

An appeal over controversial proposals to build 44 new houses in a village in Wrexham has been thrown out amid concerns about pedestrian safety.

An application by Gower Homes to develop green barrier land off Vicarage Lane in Gresford was turned down by Wrexham Council’s planning committee at a meeting last summer.

It followed 285 objections being received against the scheme, highlighting issues regarding the road network and the loss of open space.

The housing company launched an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in January after criticising the committee for going against the recommendation of the local authority’s chief planning officer.

But the inspector appointed to oversee the case has now come down on the side of the councillors and local community.

Joanne Burston said the potential benefits of the plans, including road improvements and the provision of afforable housing, would not offset the increase in traffic and the impact on a rural location.

In her report, which was published today, she said:  “Substantial weight must be given to the harm to the green wedge due to the inappropriate nature of the proposed development and the harm that this would cause to openness.

“Furthermore, significant weight is attached to the harm to highway safety and moderate weight attributed to the harm to the character and appearance of the area.

“The majority of the identified benefits are generic and no more than would be expected from any housing development.

“The benefits do not address the fundamental issue of the site’s location within the green wedge.”

She added: “Taken together the benefits do not comprise the very exceptional circumstances necessary to clearly outweigh the harm to the green wedge.

“For the above reasons and having regard to all other matters raised, I therefore conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.”

A separate application for costs to be awarded against the council was also turned down.

Among the arguments made against the development was the impact on capacity at GP surgeries in Gresford, Rossett and Llay.

Pressure on the three practices has previously led to Alyn Family Doctors proposing to shut the Gresford branch.

During July’s meeting, village representative Andrew Atkinson voiced strong opposition to the application and warned there could be a serious collision if it was allowed to go ahead.

The Conservative councillor has now welcomed the appeal outcome.

Posting on Facebook, he said: “Huge thanks to everyone that has been involved in this campaign its been a real community effort.

“Massive thanks to the Vicarage Lane Action Group. We’ve had a great little team in the group and members have put heaps of work into this.”

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter