PLANS to build houses on the site of a fire-ravaged social club in Shotton look set to be given the go ahead.

Proposals were submitted to Flintshire Council for 14 new homes to be created where the former Shotton Lane Social Club used to stand in February.

The building was hit by a large blaze in 2011 and the area has remained derelict ever since.

The application by Shane Williams is now set to be considered by the local authority’s planning committee next week, and has been recommended for approval by the council’s chief planning officer.

While the site has been described as an ‘eyesore’ in the area, some community leaders and residents have expressed concerns about parking and traffic issues if the scheme is allowed to go ahead.

In a report due to go before committee members, Shotton east councillor David Evans said: “I generally feel like this area would benefit from this type of development.

“However I have concerns with regards to the proposed properties facing onto Shotton Lane and the fact that this would cause cars to potentially reverse onto a public highway which is already a very busy road.

“Whilst appreciating that this application is outline only, I would have difficulty supporting it knowing that it may cause parking and reversing difficulties on Shotton Lane.

“I therefore request the application be heard at planning committee to include a site visit so that members can appraise themselves with the highway concerns raised.”

According to the document, a total of eight objections have been submitted by residents.

Their main concerns are centred around the increase in traffic, insufficient parking and difficulty for emergency services in accessing the site.

However, chief planning officer Andrew Farrow said the highway authority had no objections to the plans subject to conditions being put in place.

He said: “The principle of creating a new access off Shotton Lane is not

opposed.

“The highway authority therefore confirms that there is no objection subject to the imposition of conditions.

“Furthermore, I have considered the merits of the site location and

conclude that the site is well positioned and supports the key planning

principles set out in Planning Policy Wales.

“Sustainable forms of development such as this, help to reduce the reliance on travel by private car, and the adverse impacts of motorised transport on the environment and people’s health.”

Following the club’s closure in August 2010, it was originally earmarked to become an Islamic cultural centre, but those plans did not move forward after the fire and it was bought by a private owner.

Firefighters spent six hours tackling the blaze and more than 100 people were evacuated.

Approval for the homes would be subject to the developer entering a legal agreement to pay £1,100 per property towards improving play facilities in Shotton.

The application will be considered at a meeting at County Hall in Mold on Wednesday.