A HOUSING developer is attempting to "short circuit" the planning system by re-submitting an application for a huge development in Wrexham, a group of councillors have claimed. 

Redrow has re-submitted its planning application for the 1,500-home Lower Berse Farm development, which would be situated on the southern side of Ruthin Road, near Ysgol Clywedog. 

Redrow said it is re-submitting the plans, which were first lodged last year, following Wrexham Council's adoption of the Local Development Plan (LDP) - which it had twice previously rejected, leading to a successful High Court challenge by developers. The Lower Berse Farm site has been included in the LDP. 

The company said in a planning statement: "The purpose of this new application is to enable negotiations with the council to continue so that, hopefully, we can arrive at a position where you will be able to report the application to the planning committee with a recommendation for approval.”

The site of the proposed development and what it would look like.The site of the proposed development and what it would look like. (Image: Planning documents)

However, the adoption of the LDP was challenged by a group of councillors in the Court of Appeal earlier this month - with the outcome pending. It came after a ruling handed down by Mr Justice Eyre last year - in which he quashed two previous votes by councillors to reject the county's LDP and ordered the council to adopt it.

And Plaid Cymru councillors in Wrexham have claimed the company is trying to "short circuit" the planning system. 

Cllr Carrie Harper, on behalf of Wrexham's Plaid councillors, said: "It's highly regrettable that Redrow is trying to short circuit the planning system with this controversial application.

"The plan for 1,500 homes between Berse Road and Ruthin Road has been submitted once and the company has already taken the application to appeal to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW). Redrow will also be aware that there is a legal challenge to the Local Development Plan that could scupper this and another huge housing development on the other side of Wrexham.

"It feels as if the developers are worried they can't win in the courts so they're trying to sneak the planning through. I would hope that planning officers, the planning committee and planning inspectors take the outstanding legal challenge seriously and respect the legal judgement that is expected imminently.

"Given that the legal challenge is all about whether it should be local elected members or developers who decide on what gets developed and where, it seems perverse that this planning application should even be allowed to be submitted until the Court of Appeal judgement is in."

She added: "Plaid Cymru, unlike Labour, has been clear in its opposition to these monster housing estates that will provide no new infrastructure - even the proposed new school is now being contested by developers.

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"This is the problem with our planning system - it is geared to maximise profit for developers rather than ensuring we have communities with all the services and infrastructure that is needed."

Paul Murray, strategic land director at Redrow North West, said: “The appeal process is ongoing and we’re not in a position to comment on the continuing legal proceedings.

"We have resubmitted proposals to provide a diverse range of homes to meet local need, including 15 per cent affordable properties and are looking forward to working with officers to create these much-needed new homes, jobs and investment.”