Housing plans for scrap yard site set for refusal

This article is old - Published: Wednesday, May 1st, 2019

Proposals to use the site of a scrap yard to build seven new homes look set to be refused next week.

The application, which is due before planning committee members on Tuesday, proposes the “removal of scrap yard use and demolition of associated building” at the site of Legacy Car Dismantlers and Scrap Yard on Llwyneinion Road.

It also includes the creation of a wildlife meadow and newt mitigation habitat areas – with the seven detached dwellings built on the northern end of the scrapyard.

Plans for the site had been submitted back in June 2016, however a decision has been deferred due to the applicant wanting to submit additional information and revised plans to address concerns.





In a report due before planning committee members next week it is noted that the “layout of the development is, by itself, is broadly acceptable and the proposed dwellings are of an attractive design”.

However the plans has been recommended for refusal due to the development being in an “unsustainable location” and introducing an “urban development into a primarily rural location”.

The report explains: “The application site is approximately 1km from the outskirts of Rhos by roads with no dedicated pedestrian footpaths.

“The site is not accessible by public transport and there are no local needs retail facilities or other essential services close to the site. “Future occupiers would be entirely dependent upon private car journeys to travel to/from the site.

“Whilst I recognise that there are some benefits associated with the development, notably the removal of an unattractive use from the countryside as well as a significant reduction in traffic, particularly HGVs to/from the site, these do not, in my opinion, outweigh the harm resulting from conflicting with policy or from allowing a residential development to take place in an unsustainable location.

“Residential development in this location would be unsustainable and in clear conflict with PPW advice.”

It is also noted that the existing buildings on the site were “accessed for a presence of bats in June 2016”, which confirmed a likely absence of roosting bats.

But the report continues onto say that “given the time that has elapsed since the survey it can no longer be confidently relied upon” and there is “no longer sufficient evidence to be able to conclude that the development will not adversely impact upon bat species.”

The report concludes: “Whilst the proposed landscaping and habitat measures present an opportunity to enhance the rural landscape, owing to its location in open countryside the proposed proposals conflict with UDP policies PS1 and H5, national planning policies in respect of the location of new housing development as well as resulting in a development that harms the rural character of the locality as a result of the proposed layout and design.

“In additional insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate the demolition of existing buildings can

take place without adverse impact to statutorily protected species.”

*Picture: Planning document

The application will be considered by members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee at 4pm on Tuesday 7th May. The meeting will also be webcast live on the Wrexham Council website.