PROPOSALS to breathe new life into a derelict former military airfield have been given the go ahead.

The Leader reported in October how Deeside Regeneration Limited had applied to create four new industrial units on Zone One of Deeside Industrial Park.

Flintshire Council has now confirmed the scheme, in Drome Road, has been given the go-ahead by planning officers.

A report by Flintshire Council case officer Katie Jones states a heritage impact assessment had been submitted with the application which considered the impacts on three listed buildings - consisting of three pairs of Grade II listed First World War aircraft hangars.

The report explains: “Whilst a small adverse effect has been identified to the west hangars, the proposal would see the redevelopment of derelict land, which in itself is argued to be causing harm to the setting of the listed buildings as a group asset.

“The benefits of developing this land will bring back that sense of enclosure that was once lost, with development that takes similar forms to that already existing within the immediate and wider Industrial Estate, for which this land has evolved. “The cumulative impact of the proposed scheme is therefore considered to be limited, with the benefits of development outweighing the small negative effect identified on one aspect to the hangars west of the site.”

In a document submitted with the plans, Deeside Regeneration Limited said the development would bring new jobs to the area.

The document explained: “The development site is situated in a former military airport, which has been subsequently been developed into an employment area which incorporates the following uses; primarily a mixture of offices, distribution and industrial uses.

“The proposed development will bring a currently vacant site back into use, improve the setting of the adjacent listed buildings and create additional employment opportunities in the area.

“It is considered that these proposals offer a form of development and quality of design appropriate to the location and the proposed building use.”

The plans added that the site previously comprised a cluster of industrial units which have been demolished.