DETAILED plans for a five-storey apartment block at a former gasworks site have been given the green light.
Members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead to an application for 20 apartments on Rivulet Road, which was submitted by the Wales and West Housing Association.
It includes 19 two-bed apartments and a single one-bed apartment.
The former gasworks site is made up of two main parts separated by a large sandstone wall.
The upper part of the site has recently been developed with all units now occupied.
The new application relates to the lower, east section of the site.
A petition with 20 signatures was submitted by local residents regarding the potential development.
Lorraine Wilson, who owns properties on nearby Salop Road and Willow Bridge Court, spoke against the plans at the meeting.
She said: “The main concern is the lack of privacy this will bring for residents.
“The obscured glass will not prevent flat residents being able to look at people in their homes and gardens.”
Craig Sparrow from Wales and West Housing said the development would provide much-needed affordable housing for Wrexham.
Wrexham Council’s planning policy manager David Watson said: “In terms of concerns raised by the local residents over loss of privacy, it is a concern for residents on the south side of the site.
“But any habitable rooms will be on the north and west side with non-habitable rooms on the south side.”
Cllr Graham Rogers said: “The area does need a little bit of TLC. The only concern I’ve got is it’s at a junction where traffic lights are at the moment.”
But Mr Watson said there would be no vehicle access to the flats from that side of the site.
Members unanimously voted in favour of granting planning permission.
Mr Sparrow said Wales and West were hoping to be on site by the end of the financial year and to have completed the development by April or May next year.