A PROPOSED major housing development looks set for refusal when it goes in front of Flintshire Council’s planning committee next week.

The plans for 130 affordable new homes on land adjacent to Liverpool Road in Ewloe has been recommended for refusal by the authority’s chief planning officer Andrew Farrow.

If the proposal from applicants Lane End Developments Construction Ltd is granted, the homes would provide a mixture of bungalows, houses and two-storey apartments, with a new access road and landscaping.

Outlining his reasons for recommending refusal in a report for councillors to consider on Wednesday, Mr Farrow says it would be an “inappropriate” development in open countryside.

He writes: “The proposal would result in an inappropriate form of development in the open countryside which does not relate well to the existing pattern of development in the area, and would result in an uncharacteristic form of development, which does not integrate well with the existing built form and vernacular.

“The applicant is seeking to justify development in an inappropriate location by proposing 100 per cent affordable housing, but this does not make an inappropriate location acceptable. It is considered that the proposal represents an illogical and inappropriate extension to the settlement.”

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He adds: “There are also concerns over a number of smaller technical issues.

“Given the above I consider that the proposal represents inappropriate development in an open countryside location that would unacceptably harm the character and appearance of the area as well as result in the loss of high-quality agricultural land, contrary to the relevant policies in the Flintshire Unitary Development Plan.”

Other potential reasons for refusal are the loss of agricultural land, overdevelopment of the site and impact on drainage.

Also contained in the reports to the planning committee are the comments of Hawarden Aston ward Cllr’s Gillian Brockley (Lab) and Helen Brown (Ind) requesting the committee undertakes a site visit. They also share concerns about the capacity of junior and secondary schools in the area.

The Welsh Government, responsible for the A494 road, has also directed permission not be granted until issues flagged up during the consultation process are satisfactorily resolved.

In a design and access statement submitted with their application, the applicants state: “We feel that the scheme will have a positive impact in this area as a direct result of its design and appearance.

“The proposal will provide a high-quality development, creating much needed apartments and houses for people wishing to live in the area affordably and have a positive effect on the wider community.”

The planning committee will meet to decide the application on Wednesday, October 26.