Increasing houses in Wrexham’s planning blueprint would have “severe adverse consequences”, council warns

INCREASING the number of houses included in a key development blueprint for Wrexham would have “severe adverse consequences”, it’s been warned.
Wrexham Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) outlines areas where approximately 8,500 houses could be built in the county and was subject to a public examination during the autumn.
However, planning inspectors voiced concerns that the document was “flawed” after questioning the local authority’s decision to reduce the amount from an original figure of 11,715.
Officers have now set out their response to the issues raised ahead of a series of additional hearings due to be held over the next two months.
They said more than 1,000 houses would need to be built every year to meet the numbers outlined in the initial plan, which would impact on local services.
They also questioned whether the construction industry would be able to keep pace with demand.
In a statement, they said: “If the preferred strategy figures were used it would require an extra 3,190 dwellings.
“This would result in a significant misalignment between aspiration and delivery, while the level of growth proposed would have severe adverse consequences for the plan, for sustainable development and for the people of the county borough.
“In terms of deliverability, it is difficult to see how the development industry can build significantly higher numbers of housing than prior to the recession.
“Increasing the housing requirement would also impact on the provision of infrastructure which is fundamental to the delivery of the plan.”
Last week, the Welsh Government also gave its backing to the number of houses included in the LDP based on the latest population figures.
It came after North Wales AM Llyr Gruffydd raised fears that imposing the higher number would result in the creation of an “urban sprawl”.
The council has also responded to what the inspectors described as “fundamental issues” with the selection of three Gypsy and Traveller sites in Llay, Brymbo and Hanmer.
The land in Llay proved to be one of the most contentious choices as it forms part of Alyn Waters Country Park and is subject to a restrictive covenant.
But the council has stood by the three locations and warned the lack of a valid plan was leaving the area open to speculative housing developments.
Officials added: “After many years looking, the council has exhausted the list of potential private and public sites for the allocation of Gypsy and Traveller accommodation and feels that any further reassessment would be unnecessary and prove fruitless.
“However, it is prepared to undertake such further work as the inspectors think necessary to ensure that the plan can be adopted.
“The absence of an up to date plan is subjecting the county borough to speculative development and ‘planning by appeal’ and the adoption of the plan is essential to bring about proper plan-led development for the benefit of the people of Wrexham.”
The first hearing on Gypsy and Traveller sites will be held at Wrexham’s Guildhall on Tuesday, February 25.

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter