Council members from laid Cymru have urged the Welsh Government to “listen to the people of Wrexham” in the wake of contentious plans for a sizable new housing development.
At Lower Berse Farm, next to Ruthin Road, Redrow Homes has proposed to erect nearly 1,500 homes, a new elementary school, and community facilities.
A range of one to three-bed affordable homes and three to four-bedroom private homes would be included in the mix of housing, which would be determined by market conditions at the time, according to the proposal.
The local development plan (LDP) for Wrexham, which was twice rejected by a majority of council members earlier this year, had designated the area for housing.
Currently, a legal review of Wrexham Council’s refusal to approve the LDP is being conducted.
Council members from Plaid Cymru are now urging the Welsh Government to “listen to the people of Wrexham” and refrain from imposing large-scale housing plans or the twice-rejected Local Development Plan on locals.
Plaid Cymru councilor Becca Martin stated: “As a group, Plaid Cymru councillors have always stated that voting for this Local Development Plan would give developers the go-ahead to build in the countryside on all sides of Wrexham, increasing urban sprawl and adding additional strain on already overburdened services and infrastructure.
“This planning application seeks to utilize the draft plan, notwithstanding the fact that it has not been approved, in order to create a housing estate on suitable agricultural property.
“Wrexham’s population is currently stagnant and is expected to decline in the years to come. Our services are already at capacity, and the neighboring roadways are already congested.
“This massive housing development will only worsen the situation.
The Welsh Government must reconsider the LDP it is attempting to impose on Wrexham rather than following the lead of significant housing developers, according to the residents of Wrexham.
Locals are prepared to battle this planning application to the bitter end, according to Cllr Kate Wilkinson, who represents the Offa ward near to the planned development. Hundreds have signed a petition opposing the proposal.
We realize that the LDP must be stopped, but we will use every resource at our disposal to argue that affordable housing should be built on brownfield sites rather than destroying our countryside for executive housing.
