UP TO 60 new homes could be built on the site of a former landfill site.

FCC Environment has entered a planning application for the demolition of a number of buildings at the Pen y Bont landfill site in Pentre near Chirk to be replaced by houses.

It would also see the conversion of a Grade II listed office dating back to 1880, which formed part of the Pen-y-Bont Brick and Tile Company.

The proposals form part of a larger development for residential and use, including areas for caravans, camping and holiday lodges along the River Dee, which will be subject to separate applications.

In a planning statement, FCC said the plans would provide ‘much-needed’ housing for the local area.

They said:  “The development will make a positive contribution to the local economy and allow for the growth of the population, jobs and ultimately the prosperity of the local area.

“The scheme has been developed in close consultation with the public and other local stakeholders.

“The design will ensure a high quality development that reflects the local identity of the surrounding area.

“The proposed mixed-use development at Pen-y-Bont represents a viable and deliverable prospect which will be wholly in keeping with its setting and which will contribute significantly to the growth of the local area.”

However, a number of concerns have been received in response to a consultation into the plans.

Cefn Community Council considered the application at a meeting in June, where members unanimously agreed they would not support the proposal as they want the land to be used for agricultural purposes.

They also said that local schools and GP surgeries do not have the capacity for additional pupils or patients.

Meanwhile, members of the nearby Wirral Game Fishing Club believe their views have not been given proper consideration.

But FCC said the consultation had not raised any issues which required changes to their application.

In response to concerns over local infrastructure, they said: “This is an issue which has been acknowledged in the application proposal and is an issue which we believe can be improved by the development proposal which has the potential to provide additional funding and contributions towards local community facilities.

“We believe the arrangement for securing potential contributions is best addressed as part of the negotiations on submission of the application.

“Pre-application consultation is something that we have taken very seriously, and we believe our approach to consultation and level of consultation undertaken has been significantly sufficient.”