DETAILED plans to build more than 300 new homes have been deferred after concerns were raised about road safety at a fiery meeting.

Tempers flared on several occasions in a packed public gallery at the Guildhall in Wrexham as councillors debated whether to approve reserved matters for a major development at Home Farm in Llay.

Many villagers in attendance were still angered after First Minister Carwyn Jones granted outline planning permission for 362 new homes off Gresford Road following an appeal last year.

They included members of the Gresford Road Action Group, who presented research which they said raised serious questions about the stability of the land due to the presence of old railway mining tunnels underneath it, as well as recent flooding.

Llay councillor Rob Walsh said the decision had caused "grief and heartache" for residents, who had to be asked on several occasions not to shout from the gallery.

He said: “The history of this site is very well known which is why we’ve got a packed public gallery here today.

“It states there will be improvements to the Crown crossroads but says there is no requirement for it to be put forward at this time.

“I think it would be very unreasonable to approve this without knowing what those plans are.

"It’s a very busy crossroads and urgently in need of attention.

“As for the subsidence, I won’t talk about that but if you saw the site you would be able to make your own judgement.”

Members of the campaign group have unearthed a number of documents relating to Llay Main Colliery following a visit to the National Archives based in Hawarden.

One resident, a qualified engineer, overlaid the layout of the underground mine workings which appears to show that part of the locomotive haulage network extends beneath the development site.

However, the application was backed for approval by planning officers who said the former mining land was deemed ‘low risk’ by The Coal Authority and its stability could not be revisited after outline permission was granted.

Discussing residents’ concerns, Dennis Owen, vice-chairman of Llay Community Council, said: “We’ve been advised that the issue surrounding land stability should not be revisited as it’s considered that the basic report issued by The Coal Authority is sufficient.

“We have taken legal advice on this and were informed that as the subsidence and flooding is a major and ongoing issue we have the right to raise the matter before detailed planning is granted.

“In 2013 a coal authority report was issued and it said any activity associated with coal mining should have stopped by now, but it did not encompass the whole site.

“We as local residents feel justified in seeking guarantees that this land is sustainable to build 362 new homes.”

Speaking on behalf of developers Bellway Homes and Anwyl Construction, planning consultant Rebecca Hilton an intrusive investigation had been carried out on and no issues were discovered.

Cllr I David Bithell questioned the lack of play areas shown in the proposals, while Cllr Paul Roberts voiced his disappointment that no members of the council’s highways department were present to address road safety concerns.

He said: “With the Straight Mile and for anybody who knows that road, I’d class it as a rat run.

“It’s got a 50mph limit at the moment and very few drivers observe that.

“I’d be very nervous for a turn in or turn out in that vicinity, which is why I wanted someone from highways to be here.”

Committee chairman, Cllr Michael Morris, said he was only informed that there would be no highways officer half an hour before the meeting and described the situation as "unfortunate".

Councillors voted against the recommendation to approve the plans and decided to carry out a site visit to look at a number of issues.

The proposals are set to be looked at once again on Friday, August 10.