PLANS to build 455 new homes in Wrexham have been approved despite fears raised that the development could lead to a ‘gridlocked Gwersyllt’.

Wrexham Council’s planning committee has granted the proposals submitted by Russell Homes (UK) Ltd, for land directly off the A541 Mold Road and Stansty Chain Road near Gwersyllt.

This was the first major planning application to be decided since the Local Development Plan was adopted last month.

The site is located within the settlement limit, according to the report, and is allocated for residential development in the Local Development Plan (LDP) which was recently adopted by the council after two previous rejections and a Judicial Review.

More than 100 affordable homes would be included as part of the development which was recommended for approval.

Speaking on behalf of Russell Homes, Gary Lynch said the developer would undertake highway improvement work at Plas Coch roundabout, junction capacity improvements to ease congestion – picking up some of the schemes the Welsh Government scrapped last year.

Gwersyllt South Cllr Peter Howell (Plaid) produced a 'word cloud' from feedback he had received from residents with ‘chaos’ the word that came up most, feeling their concerns had not been heard.

He said: “I’m here to express my concerns and objections to this ill-conceived plan without giving any regard for the impact it will have on our already over-burdened roads and services.

“The current state of our roads is an absolute nightmare for traffic congestion.

“But adding 455 houses in this location to that equation will undoubtedly exacerbate these issues creating a gridlock nightmare for already frustrated commuters, our residents.”

Said the proposed improvements were not enough and would make no difference.

Grosvenor Cllr Marc Jones (Plaid), speaking as adjoining member, raised concerns about the effect on air quality, impact on health services and traffic congestion citing the Plas Coch, B&Q, and A483 roundabouts being gridlocked at peak times.

He said: “I’m afraid we’re trying to squeeze a quart into a pint-pot here. When something is already full and you keep pouring into it, something’s got to give.”

Planning officer Matthew Phillips pointed to the lack of delivery in new houses across Wrexham in the last decade.

“The development would deliver 113 affordable homes”, he said.

Mr Phillips added that no concerns had been raised by the health board, highways, the Welsh Government trunk roads agency, or about air quality. He warned costs could be awarded against the council if it went to appeal.

Stansty Cllr I David Bithell (Ind) spoke against the plans and said he would not support it on highway safety grounds, particularly near the Stansty Bridge.

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Llay Cllr Bryan Apsley (Lab) felt the plans did not meet planning policies, while Glyn Ceiriog Cllr Travor Bates (Ind) felt the health board could not cope with more people in the area.

Several more councillors also raised objections but Pant Cllr Stella Matthews (Lab) reminded fellow members that it was a site that had been included in the LDP – which many of them had been able to have a say about.

Ruabon Cllr Dana Davies (Lab) pointed to demand for houses locally, including among those moving to the area to take up jobs in the health service.

She said: “We’re not going to get any economic development in Wrexham if there are no houses. We need to be filling those vacancies (in the health service) and provide homes for workers.”

After two hours of debate, councillors voted to grant the application by seven votes to six.