PLANS to bring an electric vehicle charging car park to land near Chirk McDonald's have been approved.

The application for a car park with EVC near McDonald’s were submitted to the council in 2021, by Roger Parry & Partners LLP on behalf of Mr A Woolham.

The new parking area will be bordered to the west by the A5 where at the roundabout it joins with the A483, to the north by the McDonald’s Restaurant and to the east by Green Lane.

The proposal read: “Planning permission is sought for the change of use of the land to construct a car park with Electric Vehicle (EV) charging points, and associated alterations to vehicular access and landscaping works.

“Permission was also initially sought for a drive through coffee shop. However, amended plans have subsequently been submitted omitting this from the application.”

Previously the application has seen some resistance as in the Report of the Chief Officer Planning and Economy it was stated that the principle of development is contrary to local and national policy, and the submission fails to provide sufficient justification for the use of this particular piece of land.

The recommendation was that of the development to be refused.

The report read: “The need for EV charging facilities is an acknowledged requirement (currently by 2035) and this will increase as the ban on the production and sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles draws closer.

“However, such infrastructure must be built in appropriate locations and the merits of the scheme do not outweigh the planning policy presumption against such development on this particular location.”

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At a Wrexham planning committee meeting on Monday, February 5, the application was granted permission.

Cllr Michael Morris concluded: “Permission is granted, subject to the conditions to be attached.”

In a previous statement the proposal was supported by Cllr Frank Hemmings.

He said: “I have made no decision on the matter at this stage, but would welcome this facility in my ward to facilitate EV charging facilities on a main route into North Wales, subject to debate at planning committee.”

He also added that the EVC car park will be beneficial as it fits into the agenda and the development of electric vehicles, with the end of petrol and diesel cars being produced by 2035.