FLINTSHIRE Council planning committee members have unanimously backed an objection in response to an appeal over plans to build 56 new houses in Drury.

It was the fifth time the local authority’s planning committee has considered proposals for the same patch of land in Drury.

Muller Homes has been knocked back on each occasion, with a senior councillor accusing the company of wasting time and money back in February.

It follows concerns being raised about the demolition of a 150-year-old house on Drury Lane in order to accommodate the new properties, as well as the impact on nearby schools and medical facilities.

And on Wednesday committee members reaffirmed their backing for the council’s stance against the "totally flawed" development after the firm launched an appeal over its failure to decide on the latest application within the relevant time-scale.

One of the main reasons committee members objected to the latest application is that part of the application site is in open countryside on land west of Bank Lane which is separated from the main development site.

Buckley councillor Mike Peers said: "Part of the application site is away from main site for development, and area which has been displaced is within the green barrier.

"By doing it's clear that the developer has artificially increased development area to west of Bank Lane and is indicative of overdevelopment.

"The agricultural land classification which is sub grade 3A, part of the best and most versatile group and planning policy states that this land should only be developed if there's an overriding need for the development or if previously developed land or lower grade land is unavailable.

"There are fundamental issues around infrastructure and amenities - the developer states that there'd be a nearby post office and convenience store - this closed in 2018."

The Leader:

A total of 32 letters of objections have been submitted by residents about the impact on traffic, as well as regarding the scale of the development.

Council members say there are "very minimal" changes to the current application from the one rejected in February.

Cllr Derek Butler, of Broughton, said: "The fundamental premise of this application has been flawed on each occasion, they're constantly tinkering around the edges to try and make it valid but it's against all our policies."

He also bemoaned the amount of officers' and councillors' time "wasted" on the applications.

The planning inspectorate will consider this application at a later date.