A UNIVERSITY says it will explore its options after two unpopular housing proposals it put forward were refused.

Wrexham’s Glyndwr University had intended to sell permission for around 200 homes on playing fields in Rhosnesni and grazing land in New Broughton to fund a £60m redevelopment of its main campus on Mold Road.

Members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee approved seven of the nine applications entered as part of the Campus 2025 scheme during more than four hours of deliberations on Monday.

However, they threw out the two housing plans after concerns were raised by politicians and the authority’s highways officer about traffic, as well as the loss of open space.

During the meeting, a consultant working on Glyndwr’s behalf said its future was in the committee’s hands and warned the overall project was dependent on selling the housing land.

In the wake of their decision, the university said it had been left ‘disappointed’ by the outcome.

A university spokesman said: “The university is pleased with the approvals for a number of planning applications for the development of its campuses in Wrexham.

“However, we are disappointed with the refusal of two further applications for the disposal of our two sites at Dean Road and Gatewen with planning permission for housing and recreational space.

“We will now be considering our options.”

Meanwhile, the fallout from the meeting has also been felt by Wrexham Council after a public disagreement broke out between its planning and highways departments.

The authority’s chief executive Ian Bancroft has pledged to look into claims made by highways officer Peter Douthwaite that pressure had been placed on him not to recommend refusal of one the applications.

His comments were made whilst discussing plans for 410 apartments on Plas Coch Road, which were later approved, despite his concerns about the impact on traffic.

He said: “It is our belief that the traffic generated by those dwellings will detrimentally impact on the through flow of traffic on Plas Coch Road, Mold Road, Berse Road, Rhyd Broughton roundabout and Gatewen Road.

“I have been told not to recommend refusal, but I am raising all those issues with you so you are fully aware of it.”

In response, Mr Bancroft said: “I’m bound to be reviewing the type of discussion that went on last night.

“There would be nobody giving instruction to fetter people’s independent roles in a process.

“I think it’s always likely to come to a head on such a large profile application from such a major stakeholder in the town, where we have very strong views and people are passionate.”

One community leader was also warned about his conduct during the meeting.

Cllr Alan Edwards, who represents New Broughton, made an impassioned speech against the university’s plans for 112 new homes in his ward because of the impact on roads and green barrier land.

In his submissions, he accused planning officers of ‘misleading’ people and acting like ‘agents’ for the university.

Planning chair Mike Morris urged him to be careful with his remarks, but Cllr Edwards said he stood by what he said.

Meanwhile, Rhosnesni councillor Mike Davies urged the committee to reject proposals for 74 houses on a sports field on Dean Road because of the loss of public open space.

The university has yet to reveal whether it will launch an appeal against the two decisions.