Employment unit at Land at Oak Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham

What was proposed

The application proposed an employment unit with new access, car and HGV parking, servicing, storage, landscaping and ancillary development.

“Description of Development UNED GYFLOGAETH ARFAETHEDIG A MYNEDIAD NEWYDD I GERBYDAU, PARCIO AR GYFER CEIR A CHERBYDAU NWYDDAU TRWM, ARDAL WASANAETHU A STORIO, TIRLUNIO A GWAITH DATBLYGU ATEGOL / PROPOSED EMPLOYMENT UNIT AND NEW VEHICULAR ACCESS, CAR AND HGV PARKING, SERVICING AND STORAGE AREA,LANDSCAPING AND ANCILLARY DEVELOPMENT”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications included a refusal in 1999, outline permission in 2000, a refusal in 2020 and a withdrawn application in 2021.

“P/2021 /0471 - Outline application - erection of class B1 and B8 industrial units. Withdrawn…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to a Section 106 obligation securing long-term management and maintenance of the habitat mitigation area.

“Recommendation A That planning permission is granted subject to the completion of a Planning Obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the long term management and maintenance of the habitat mitigation area and that that the Interim Chief Officer Economy & Planning be given delegated authority to approve the final form and content of the Planning Obligation.”

“The development makes inadequate provision for the long term management and maintenance of the proposed habitat mitigation measures and therefore conflicts with Policies PS11 and EC6 of the Wrexham Unitary Development Plan.”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

Four representations from three households raised concerns about HGVs, traffic, noise, surface-water runoff and ecology.

“Publicity Undertaken: Press Notice Site Notice Notification Letters Responses to Publicity: 4 representations from 3 households received raising concerns: • Increased HGV movements impacting upon existing network, • Increased traffic in general • Increase Noise Impact • Impact of surface water run off • Impact on Ecology…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A supporter spoke in favour of the application.

Committee discussion

Members discussed the wildlife-site designation, alternative sites, parking, ecological safeguards and disappointment that works had already commenced.

“This document is also available in Welsh This Committee’s meetings are webcast and can be viewed by visiting the webcast library at: https://wrexham.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcasts The Officer presented the report, and in doing so, displayed plans of the site to assist with his presentation. A discussion ensued and the following points were made:”

“Confirmation that the Employment Land Review recommended the site not be taken forward as an allocation in the Local Development Plan, primarily because it was designated as a local wildlife site. • Various alternative sites had been considered but were not deemed suitable. • It was reported that Highways Officers were satisfied with the proposed parking provision, which would be subject to a Car Park Management Plan.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to a Section 106 obligation securing long-term habitat management and maintenance, with delegated authority for its final form.

“(i) That planning permission be granted subject to the completion of a Planning Obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to secure the long term management and maintenance of the habitat mitigation area.”

“(ii) That the Interim Chief Officer Economy & Planning be given delegated authority to approve the final form and content of the Planning Obligation.”

Minutes