Wrexham; MS comments on council refusing development plan

Producing an LDP is a requirement of local authorities by the Welsh Government, and Wrexham has made two attempts over more than a decade to get its 2013-2028 blueprint in place.

Wrexham’s latest version went out to public consultation five years ago, and was drafted to allocate sites where around 8,000 homes and major developments could be built in the county borough.

It was then examined and tweaked by the government and independent inspectors who deemed the plan sound to adopt earlier this year.

But when presented with the plan last week at an extraordinary meeting of the full council, Cllr Mark Pritchard speaks at the full council meeting (Image: Wrexham Council webcast)

Amid the backdrop of campaigners against the plan sat in the public gallery of the Guildhall chamber, concerns were aired about many aspects of the plan from councillors across the political spectrum.

These ranged from the location of a proposed Gypsy site off Coed Y Felin Road in Brymbo, the number of new homes earmarked for land off Cefn Road near the city centre, and overall potential impact on the county borough’s infrastructure.

Council leader, Esclusham Cllr Mark Pritchard (Ind), was particularly scathing and urged members not to vote for the plan citing issues ranging from overdevelopment to a lack of healthcare provision and roads infrastructure, especially after the Welsh Government’s scrapping of plans for improvements to junctions off the A483.

Speaking at last week’s meeting Cllr Pritchard said: “You shouldn’t be coming here and voting for second best, you should be voting for what’s right for Wrexham.

“I can assure you it’s not easy for me to stand here as leader of the council and say I don’t support it.”

But Wrexham’s Labour Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths says she understands the concerns but has warned there could be consequences as a result of the decision, particularly when it comes to future planning appeals.

She said: “Wrexham Council’s failure to adopt a Local Development Plan (LDP), which was endorsed by an Examination Inspector, means we are in uncharted territory.

“Wrexham is the only local authority in Wales not to have an LDP in place and it appears its stance is unprecedented in the UK.”

Rejecting the LDP leaves the council open to potentially having a plan imposed on it by the Welsh Government, or being taken to court for a costly Judicial Review.

It could also make it trickier for the health board and other public bodies to plan for the future without a plan in place.

Ms Griffiths added: “Being in this state of limbo is having a detrimental effect on Wrexham.

“With no LDP implemented, developments are very likely to go ahead on appeal and Wrexham Council’s ability to secure affordable housing and other infrastructure contributions will be seriously undermined.

“This whole saga has dragged on long enough. I understand the concerns but I hope a satisfactory solution can be reached as swiftly as possible.”