Blueprint for more than 8,000 new homes in Wrexham approved, despite strong objections

Wrexham Council has voted to send its proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) which indicates where houses could be built in future, to an inspector appointed by the Welsh Government.

It also outlines several locations where new businesses could be introduced in a bid to create up to 4,200 new jobs

The decision was made despite thousands of objections from members of the public, many of which centred on three proposed gypsy and traveller sites in Brymbo, Hanmer and Llay.

Doubts were raised about the site selection process at a full council meeting at Wrexham’s Guildhall, as well as the population projection figures on which the housing numbers are based.

However, while 17 politicians opposed the plan, a majority of 30 raised their hands in support amid fears that ministers in Cardiff could take control of the process if they did not.

Cllr Rob Walsh (Lib Dem) gave an impassioned speech about the impact of ‘predatory’ developments on the village of Llay and said he could not support the proposals.

He said: “I’m aware some of my fellow councillors think this is a weak plan but intend to vote for it anyway to allow full examination in public.

“I’m sorry, but that is a failure of duty as an elected member.

“Some will say we’ll lose control of the plan and become victims of predatory development.

“Tell that to the people of Llay who have already been victims of predatory development and now see a predatory plan looking them in the eye.”

Wrexham has been without an LDP since 2011 after its initial plans were kicked out by the Welsh Government.

Several executive board members said the absence of such a document had left the area prone to mass development.

They added that the number of homes likely to be built would be closer to 5,000 taking planning permissions already granted into account.

But deputy leader of the council, Cllr Hugh Jones (Con), described the submissions being put forward as ‘flawed’.

He said: “It’s flawed because it completely ignores the overstretched services of our hospitals and our communities and our GPs.

“It’s flawed because it brings forward land on which five major insurance companies would not provide cover because of flooding risk.

Meanwhile, Cllr Carrie Harper (Plaid) claimed it would turn Wrexham into “Cheshire on the cheap”.

She said: “Everyone in Wrexham is going to be impacted by this level of development if it goes ahead.

“How is the Maelor going to cope with an additional 20,000 people, have you been to A&E lately?

“We have to ask why is this even in front of us because the latest statistics tell us the population is static.

“Don’t give the Welsh Government and developers the chance to turn this town into Cheshire on the cheap.”

In response, leader of the council Mark Pritchard (Ind) said the only way for the views of the public to be considered fairly was for them to be examined by an independent inspector.

He cautioned that there could be ‘mayhem’ if councillors voted against the plan.

He said: “I think it’s so important that elected members follow the process.

“If you don’t you could have anarchy and mayhem and that’s what I don’t want.

“The inspector will make that decision impartially whether this plan is sound.

“The most important thing is everybody whose got concerns and issues goes to the examination and makes those clear.”

His views were supported by Cllr Dana Davies, leader of the Labour group, who said the authority could not fight for extra funding for infrastructure without the plan.

A recorded vote was taken and the proposals will now be submitted at the end of the month.

Public hearings are then expected to be held by the inspector throughout the spring and summer.

The final report will be issued at the end of 2019 and will be binding on the council.