PLANS to build a supermarket, drive-thru cafe and petrol station, as part of a major retail and housing development, look set to be approved.
Outline permission has already been granted to build 319 houses, a supermarket, retail and business units, pub, hotel and petrol station on land next to the A483 in Ruabon near Wrexham.
Now detailed proposals are due to be considered for the retail site with Aldi and Costa set to take up two of the main units on the multi-million pound development.
It comes despite objections raised by Cadw, which manages many of Wales’ historical monument and buildings, that the design does not fit in with the nearby Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site and Wynnstay Hall.
In a report set to go before councillors next week though, Wrexham Council’s head of environment and planning Lawrence Isted has recommended for the plans to be given the green light.
He said: “The buildings would be located in the most prominent position of the overall site subject to the outline consent.
“Although these buildings will be highly prominent, more specifically the retail unit and the small drive-thru café, I consider them to be of a simple design.
“Cadw have responded to their consultation expressing concern that the proposal is inadequately documented and that overall design has not been
justified in line with the location of the site next to a registered park and
garden (Wynnstay Hall), a series of scheduled monuments and the
Pontcysyllte World Heritage Site.
“In response, the applicant has provided an additional report in the form of a heritage assessment. In summary the report concludes that the impact of the development upon the park and garden and heritage assets within will be limited.”
Objections received from nearby residents included concerns about the impact on air quality, noise and light pollution.
Neighbours also raised fears that it will affect small businesses and add an unsafe amount of traffic.
All buildings which form part of the development will be accessed by a central spine road linked to a new junction on the roundabout attached to the A539 and B5605.
The outline permission already includes conditions requiring a number of road improvements, including the installation of a signal controlled crossing, speed limit reduction on the dual carriageway to 30mph and the creation of a footpath into Ruabon.
Mr Isted said: “I am satisfied that the detail contained in this submission meets the overall criteria set out in the outline planning permission and conforms to
the aims of providing a layout in accordance with the accepted masterplan.
“This is considered to be a positive approach, opening up the site to further
development into the future.”
The proposals have been recommended for approval and will go before members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee on Monday, July 30.
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