PLANS to build more than 40 new houses on a business park on the outskirts of Wrexham county borough look set to be given the green light.

Proposals were submitted towards the end of 2019 to create an affordable housing development on an empty plot of land at Wynnstay Technology Park in Ruabon.

Wrexham-based construction company Cartrefi G.O. is behind the application for a total of 43 properties, which it said would be delivered in partnership with an unnamed housing association.

The site close to the Plas Madoc housing estate already has permission for a mixture of six industrial units, a shop and 35 homes.

The original scheme included an allocation of ten houses to be offered below market value, but representatives from the firm said all accommodation would now be classed as affordable to help people get on the property ladder.

The scheme has been backed to go ahead by a senior Wrexham Council official.

In a report set to be considered by councillors next week, chief planning officer Lawrence Isted said: “This brownfield site has been vacant now for many years and has been the subject of a number of incidents of fly tipping and antisocial behaviour.

“The proposed dwellings are acceptable in terms of scale and design, and adequate onsite parking has been provided together with safe and convenient vehicular and pedestrian access.

“The residential development of the site would enhance the character and appearance of the area by regenerating this long time redundant site, whilst protecting its arboricultural and ecological value.

“The proposal will bring forward 43 affordable dwellings which far exceeds the 12 units that would normally be secured through a scheme of this size, and I recommend accordingly.”

Concerns have been raised by one resident living nearby that the scheme  would offer inadequate protection to a rare butterfly species which is said to have previously been present at the site.

Numbers of the Dingy Skipper butterfly are currently in decline in the UK and at risk of being wiped out completely.

However, Mr Isted said studies showed no evidence of their presence in the area.

He said: “The ecological report originally submitted in support of this application failed to recognise the previous records of Dingy Skipper butterflies (a species of importance to Wales) and other consideration such as invertebrates and reptiles.

“Further assessment of the site has been made by the applicant’s ecologist and additional information submitted.

“The ecologist recorded no presence of Dingy Skippers, and only a low numbers of common butterflies were recorded on the site.

“These numbers have been more than adequately mitigated for within the site layout and to the site frontage, just to the north of the access.”

The proposals will be discussed by members of the local authority’s planning committee at a meeting on Monday, February 1.