ALMOST 100 new homes can now be built in Rhosrobin after proposals secured Wrexham Council approval, despite concerns about traffic congestion.

At their January meeting, the authority’s planning committee approved plans for a development submitted by SG Estates for a site opposite St Peter’s Close, near Llay New Road.

Of the proposed 92 homes, 23 would be classed as affordable, and the site had been deemed suitable for development in the council’s Local Development Plan which was adopted last month.

When the plans were first submitted two years ago, fears were shared in the community about potential loss of open space, and 300 people signed a petition opposing the development.

Chris Hopkins, speaking at the meeting on behalf of residents, raised objections citing two other housing estates already being built nearby. He also raised traffic concerns for Llay Road, and lack of capacity at Ysgol Bryn Alyn.

Speaking for SG Estates in support of the application, Nigel Thorns said the development would help with the previous “under supply” of new homes in Wrexham.

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“There are no detailed, technical reasons to refuse the application”, Mr Thorns added.

Local member, Gwersyllt South Cllr Pete Howell (Plaid) objected to the plans, saying “feelings are very, very strong” about “joining Rhosrobin and Pandy as one”.

As well as coalescence of villages, potential loss of green space, traffic congestion, increased air pollution and toll on infrastructure were among Cllr Howell’s concerns.

Planning officer Matthew Phillips said a traffic assessment supported the plans, and “would not have a significant impact on the Plas Acton / Llay New Road junction”.

He said the site had been earmarked for development during the LDP process, and any comments submitted with the online petition had not been sent to council.

Vice-chair of the planning committee, Grosvenor Cllr Marc Jones (Plaid) raised concerns he had about congestion.

“Apparently congestion is something we aspire to as a city now”, he said.

“At what stage does congestion become such an issue we are gridlocked. That is not good for business, the economy, workers who can’t get to one place or another.”

Mr Phillips repeated the view of highways consultees that the development would not cause significant increased congestion.

Chirk North Cllr Frank Hemmings (Lab) said he felt refusing developments offering affordable housing would not incentivise people to move to the area.

He said: “We seem to be saying to people, Wrexham is not open for business”.

Cllr Hemmings added that to encourage people to come to the city and live in Wrexham, housing needed to be built.

Councillors ultimately voted to approve the application.