CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 18 homes have been refused.
The Siglen Ucha development, submitted by Wainhomes last year, included a 20ft wall around it which has been described by one councillor as resembling the Berlin Wall.
The decision to refuse the application has been welcomed by Gwernymynydd’s community councillors, who said the proposal had not taken into account the village envelope, with Cllr Kevin Hughes stating the development would have desecrated an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Cllr Hughes said: “The decision to refuse the application is very much welcomed by the community council although an appeal could still be launched by the applicant.
“The proposed development was clearly to the detriment of the village and the 20ft wall that could have been built around it would have been very unsightly – akin to a dam or the Berlin Wall.”
Flintshire Council’s planning committee went against the advice of its planning officers who recommended approval, after a site visit.
However, Cllr Hughes said the community council is still open to the right development on the Ruthin Road site after admitting there is a need for more affordable housing.
“House prices in Gwernymynydd are so expensive and people growing up here are being forced to move elsewhere,” he continued.
“We want the school’s intake to remain high and we need more affordable housing.
“It has to be the right development though and the whole village was against this one.”
Gwernymynydd Community Council had stated there was not enough space on the site for 18 homes.
It also cited issues of surface water running off on to neighbouring properties and criticised the plan for having poor vehicular access.
Gwernymynydd’s Flintshire county councillor, Nancy Matthews, who spoke against the proposal when the planning committee met to make its decision, said: “The proposal wasn’t quite in keeping with the village.
“The application didn’t include any plans for drainage and it was felt it would impinge on the Mold Flood Alleviation Scheme.
“We aren’t against development but we do feel it should be appropriate.”