Decision Delayed for Plans to Create 20 Apartments in Wrexham City Centre amid Noise Concerns

A DECISION over plans to create 20 apartments in Wrexham city centre has been delayed for a second time due to noise concerns.
Proposals to build accommodation on the upper floors of a building on Regent Street were originally meant to be considered by Wrexham Council’s planning committee in March.
The decision was placed on hold last month after fears were raised over how it would impact on the Waterstones book shop on the ground floor.
The application by the JSM Company Group would see one and two-bedroom apartments created on the first and second floors of the building, which was previously home to the UnDegUn art gallery and a JJB Sports store.
Councillors were again due to decide on the plans at their latest meeting on Monday (April 8, 2024) after being recommended to approve the scheme.
However, they were told a late response had been received regarding the proposals which needed to be examined further.
Speaking at the meeting at Wrexham’s Guildhall, planning officer Matthew Phillips said: “Unfortunately, this is the second time we’ve had to do this, but we did have a representation quite late in the day on Friday raising a number of technical matters relating to noise.
“Having had advice from the public protection officer this morning, that’s something they would need to give some further consideration to.
“As a result of that, I’m asking that that application be deferred again.
“We will bring it back in due course when both the protection officer and ourselves have had further opportunity to consider that matter.”
Community leaders previously voiced concerns that residents living in the apartments could be impacted by noise from the Rockin’ Chair music venue, which backs onto the site.
Wrexham’s chief planning officer David Fitzsimon said in a report to the committee that soundproofing measures would address the issue.
Ahead of Monday’s meeting, representatives for Waterstones claimed the proposals could put the shop’s future at risk.
They said this was because part of the second floor is also occupied by the book store and it would lead to the loss of staff facilities and storage space.
The application will now be considered by the committee at a later date.

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter