Plan for 315-home Ewloe development taken to appeal

Castle Green Homes’ original plans for the large development on Holywell Road and Green Lane in Ewloe – of which 126 would be affordable homes managed by Clwyd Alyn – were rejected in December by Flintshire County Council’s Planning Committee.

In rejecting the original plan councillors raised concerns about the density of development – at 40 homes per hectare the plans are significantly higher than Flintshire’s current upper limit of 30 homes – and the grouping of social housing together in a way they felt created specific, identifiable areas of social housing that could create a stigma around families.

It has since submitted a revised application for 276 new homes – including 110 affordable homes – which is still awaiting a decision by the authority.

But it has also lodged an appeal with the Welsh Planning Inspectorate PEDW for the original scheme.

This could mean it ends up with permission for both plans and the freedom to choose which it implements.

It is an approach that Castle Green has successfully taken with regard to another controversial development in Flintshire.

Earlier this year it secured permission after a successful planning appeal for a revised plan at Quarry Farm in Oakenholt. The original plans were branded a ‘ghetto’ by councillors due to their housing density but PEDW granted permission on appeal – giving Castle Green the freedom to choose whether to develop according to it’s original plan or the newer one with fewer properties.

In the appeal documents for the Ewloe development it cites that application as supporting evidence.

According to urban design experts FCPR the density concerns of Flintshire’s planning committee are unfounded.

“It is considered an acceptable density in both net and gross terms that will fit into the local settlement whilst providing areas of usable public open space,” it said in its evidence to the appeal.

“The site is of a compatible plot ratio density to the surrounding settlement, due to both the significant amount of open space provided and the average smaller house size.”

In relation to the grouping together of affordable  housing the consultants said: “Affordable housing has been grouped across the site, with a large cluster in the south east corner.

“This is an area identified as having capacity to accommodate slightly higher density development due to its enclosed nature. This grouping will also allow for ease of management.

“Further small groups of affordable units are provided across the site. These are designed to be tenure blind both in terms of materials, design and
layout. The overall layout is tenure blind and will create a mixed and balanced community.”

Investigations are ongoing with a decision expected in early October.