A DEVELOPER has revealed plans for around 1,500 homes, as well space for a new primary school and community centre in Wrexham.

Ewloe-based Redrow has opened the consultation for the outline proposals for land stretching 180 acres on the southern side of Ruthin Road, near Ysgol Clywedog. 

​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​A planning statement outlining the proposal described it as: " [A] Residential development for in the region of 1,500 dwellings, plus associated roads, open space, community facilities, a site for a primary school and a wastewater treatment plant (or, if the treatment plant is not required to serve the development, alternative use of its proposed site and environs to provide an additional area of housing development)."

About 15 per cent of the homes built would be affordable housing. 

Notably, the site falls within an extensive area designated as Green Barrier land - designed to protect the openness of the area between Wrexham, Bersham and Rhostyllen. Wrexham Council policy regardes most types of new development in Green Barrier, including new buildings, as “inappropriate” which should not be granted planning permission except in “very special circumstances”.

The Leader:

Redrow said in a planning statement: "A strategic development at Lower Berse Farm, which will create a new community-led neighbourhood, delivering in the region of 1,500 homes. Creating attractive green spaces, parks and play areas, as well as retaining and providing natural assets such as trees, hedgerows and water features.

"Utilising the historic Lower Berse Farmhouse, whilst retaining and enhancing its heritage, to provide a community centre with possible amenities, such as shops, a nursery, a café and other facilities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Creating easy access to the site via improving road access to the A525 Ruthin Road and enhancing active travel routes with pedestrian and cycle links throughout the site. Careful consideration given to the future needs of the community with site provision for a modern, spacious new primary school included within the proposals. Designed to incorporate areas of green open space wherever possible and create landscaped communal areas.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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Redrow also said the proposal would assist Wrexham Council in fulfilling its Local Development Plan.

The company said: “In its emerging Local Development Plan, Wrexham County Borough Council highlighted a need for 7,750 new homes to be built across the Borough by 2028. Whilst expected to be adopted this year, the plan has suffered significant setbacks despite the Inspector’s report in February 2023 finding the plan sound subject to a number of changes. The status of the emerging Local Development Plan is now likely to be resolved in the latter half of 2023. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are confident that the proposed development at Lower Berse Farm is essential in meeting existing and future housing need – as demonstrated by the council’s own housing needs assessment – delivering in the region of 1,500 dwellings.

"Whilst the land is currently used for agricultural purposes, Lower Berse Farm has been identified as a key location for development in the emerging Local Development Plan. This site will enable Redrow to deliver much-needed new homes to Wrexham, whilst also protecting other green field sites across the Borough from speculative development." ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌

Wrexham Council has been warned it could face legal action over its refusal to adopt a Local Development Plan.

A requirement of local authorities by the Welsh Government, Wrexham’s proposed plan was drafted to allocate sites where around 8,000 homes and major developments could be built in the county borough.

This went out to public consultation five years ago before being examined and tweaked by the government and independent inspectors who deemed the plan sound to adopt earlier this year.

Despite being warned that not adopting the LDP would leave the council open to a judicial review and its costs, it was rejected with concerns about some of the sites included in it and the overall impact on the city’s infrastructure.

The report to members ahead of a crunch meeting next week confirms “a consortium of private sector developers” has brought the action against the council for the ‘unlawful’ refusal to adopt the LDP at their meeting in April.