RENEWED plans have been entered to transform a former pig farm into a housing development.

Proposals to convert barns at Broad Oak Farm in Rossett into a total of 18 homes were deferred by Wrexham Council’s planning committee in July.

They were originally recommended for refusal because of concerns the buildings were not suitable for conversion, but developer Shaun Trowbridge was given more time to discuss amendments with the authority.

A fresh scaled back application has now been submitted to turn the barns into 10 houses. The plans includes six two-bedroom properties, three with four bedrooms and one with three bedrooms.

The farm stopped trading in 2001 after British pig farming declined during the 1990s.

In a statement, the developer said: “The aim of the proposal is to create a high quality, attractive residential development which makes best use of the existing buildings present on site, improving the condition of the landscape and character of the countryside in this part of the Wrexham area.

“The farm has been vacant and although still registered, has not functioned as an agricultural holding for over 15 years.

“A series of applications have been submitted for residential development on the site over a number of years, the most recent of which was two applications for a combined development of 18 units.

“This application represents a resubmission for a reduced number of units and is submitted as one planning application across the whole site.

“It is important that positive action takes place to ensure the site is reused in a productive manner, to the benefit of the environment and wider community, before further deterioration occurs.

“It is considered that residential is the only viable alternative use to enable the redevelopment of the farm to take place.”

There are a number of buildings earmarked for demolition at the farm, including two silo storage tanks, a small single-storey brick building and a large lean-to in the central courtyard.

According to the plans, the structures are not appropriate for conversion.

Mr Trowbridge previously said the development would provide ‘much-needed’ affordable two or three bedroom houses in Rossett, adding that the current farm buildings showed signs of neglect and disrepair.

He was given more time to submit revised proposals after Rossett’s Conservative councillor Hugh Jones gave the scheme his backing, claiming the village needed more affordable houses and fewer “footballers’ mansions”.

The new plans will be considered by Wrexham Council at a future date.