MAJOR plans to create hundreds of homes on the site of a former village steelworks have formally been entered.

Proposals to transform land around the old Brymbo Steelworks near Wrexham by building up to 450 houses and a primary school were unveiled earlier this year by Brymbo Developments Ltd.

The Brymbo Park scheme also includes a district centre with shops, a restaurant and a building which could be used as a health centre.

The company has already created a large number of properties in the village and has existing permission for some elements of its plans, but was previously criticised after they stalled.

In planning documents submitted to Wrexham Council this week, the firm blamed the economic downturn of 2008 for hindering the scheme.

However, it said it was now ready to push forward with its ambitions.

A spokesperson said: “The site forms part of the wider land holding associated with the former Brymbo Steelworks and Colliery, some of which has already been significantly redeveloped.

“The site covers an area of approximately 32.59 hectares of former industrial land which has been remediated and regraded, formed of two distinct areas separated by a steeply sloping bank.

“The development project has been ongoing for the last 21 years and has seen BDL provide significant investment in large scale remediation and implementation of major infrastructure.

“The undeveloped remediated areas where the commercial, employment and school uses have previously been approved have yet to be progressed due to a combination of the economic downturn of 2007/8 and the lack of commercial interest.

“The commitment to bring forward a small district centre, school and an overall approach of ‘placemaking’ has been at the heart of the scheme from the outset with the current masterplan fully informed by establishing the needs to the community as well as the commercial market.”

The firm behind the proposals has been working with the Brymbo Heritage Group to recognise the history of the steelworks by creating a major heritage attraction.

The company was previously criticised by some politicians for creating around 550 homes without the promised addition of offices, shops and a school coming to fruition.

However, county councillor Paul Rogers recently gave the renewed submissions a cautious welcome.

The plans will now be considered by Wrexham Council at a later date.