AN appeal has been launched over the refusal of plans to build houses next to a Wrexham pub which closed after a new link road was said to have cut off passing trade.
Proposals were put forward in early 2017 to create up to five properties on land surrounding the Gredington Arms in Llan-y-Pwll.
The pub closed its doors in 2010 after its owners said construction work on the £30m Wrexham Industrial Estate link road had reduced the amount of customers calling in.
The housing plans were rejected by Wrexham Council earlier this year because officers said it would harm an area of green barrier land.
Proposals were put forward in early 2017 to create up to five properties on land surrounding the Gredington Arms in Llan-y-Pwll, Source: Caulmert Planning
The decision came despite permission previously being given to convert the pub building into three new homes.
Des Hughes-Whilding, who is behind the latest proposals, has now launched an appeal to have the local authority’s verdict overturned amid claims the tarmacked site is “crying out” to be transformed
It comes as agents acting on his behalf said the opening of the link road in 2012 had reduced the rural appearance of the area.
In an appeal statement, planning consultant Lauren Eaton-Jones said: “The Gredington Arms was a former public house for Hydes of Manchester that closed in October 2010 due to a decline in business, mainly as a result of the construction of the A534 leaving the public house with little passing trade.
“As a result of the introduction of the A534, the character of the site has changed substantially with its rural-setting and openness having been diminished.
“The locality has a hamlet feel to it, even more so with permission having been granted to convert the public house into residential units.
“The land surrounding the Gredington Arms is tarmacked and, therefore, already has the appearance of a built-up area and if left, would never regenerate and become ‘green’.
“If anything, the site is crying out for redevelopment.”
The appeal will be decided by an inspector appointed by the Welsh Government at a later date.
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