AN EMPLOYMENT boost of hundreds of jobs has moved a step closer after councillors gave the green light for a Morrisons supermarket to be built.

Addressing a Wrexham Council planning committee meeting held last night at the Guildhall, consultant Ed Kemsley spoke in favour of the Ruthin Road-based Morrisons application.

“This would be a high quality development on a vacant site. It represents a significant investment in Wrexham, generating around 300 new jobs.

“Morrisons is not currently represented in Wrexham and this store would increase choice,” Mr Kemsley told councillors.

The proposal for a supermarket, customer car park and petrol filling station was approved with a number of planning conditions attached.

But Caia Park Cllr Carrie Harper spoke out against the proposals saying: “I question the need for another supermarket. We have so many within a short distance.”

Cllr Harper also thought the land in question could provide an important site for dealing with the area’s housing need.

Welcoming the application, the local member, Cllr Phil Wynn, of Brynyffynnon ward, raised a number of concerns which had been expressed by residents including parking and traffic flow arrangements and potential noise nuisance.

Cllr Wynn said there was a need for the store and felt an overwhelming majority of people were in favour of the development.

But he complained about the delay in being informed about the latest developments over the proposals.

“I am livid. I am sorry to rattle on but I am a bit narked tonight,” he said.

He received an apology from chief planning officer Lawrence Isted over the delay.