AN APPEAL over the refusal of plans to build houses next to a garden centre in Wrexham has been thrown out because of the damaging impact they would have on the countryside.

The owners of Ferndale Garden Centre in Caego submitted proposals to create eight new homes on nearby land earlier this year.

They were rejected in May after councillors said the creation of the properties on a green barrier site would be “unacceptable”.

An appeal was later submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in a bid to have the decision by Wrexham Council’s planning committee overturned.

But inspector Declan Beggan has now sided with the local authority by backing its findings.

In his report, he said: “Planning Policy Wales states a presumption against inappropriate development, with substantial weight to be attached to any harmful impact which a development would have on a green barrier designation.

“It confirms that inappropriate development should not be granted planning permission except in very exceptional circumstances where other considerations would clearly outweigh the harm.

“I consider the development would represent an unnecessary and undesirable encroachment into the countryside thereby conflicting with one of the purposes of including land within the green barrier

“Given the considerable local and national policy conflicts and consequent harm that I have previously identified, I do not consider that the contribution to housing supply made by the scheme or any other material consideration in its favour are of such significance as to outweigh the harm.”

Councillors previously denied permission for a similar scheme at the same site in September 2018.

The owners of the garden centre had hoped the new application would address concerns about access for drivers entering the site off Berse Road.

However, while he acknowledged the proposed development would not impact on road safety, Mr Lloyd decided to dismiss the appeal.