Fresh plans to build new homes near Acrefair social club

A development company has launched a second bid to gain approval to build more than 30 new homes next to a social club in Wrexham.

Prospect Estates previously applied in May 2022 to create houses on a field close to Acrefair Sports and Social Club.

Permission for the plans for a total of 33 houses on a 0.65 hectare plot of land on Bethania Road in Acrefair were refused by Wrexham Council in October the following year.

The decision was taken by planning committee members after concerns were raised about potential land contamination issues and the impact on nearby roads.

An appeal to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales was later thrown out because of the impact of  the proposals on nature conservation and protected species.

The Yorkshire-based firm has now submitted a fresh application to Wrexham Council after claiming to have addressed any outstanding concerns.

In a supporting statement, agents acting for the company said: “The revised application follows on from the refusal of the outline application and the subsequent appeal which was dismissed.

“The 2022 application was refused in October 2023 for five reasons.

“In determining the subsequent appeal, the inspector concluded that satisfactory details had been provided on all of the above points with the exception of the effect of the proposal on nature conservation and protected species.

“As a result, the application submission includes the various reports relating to highway and pedestrian safety matters and land contamination that were considered at the time of the appeal hearing. It is not considered that anything further is required on these matters.”

They added: “In response to the concerns raised about protected species, a new ecological assessment has been carried out and its findings are within a new report dated August 2024, which is submitted with the revised application.

“On that basis it is considered that the application can now be supported having addressed the reason that the appeal was dismissed.”

It’s expected a decision will be made on the latest application by the local authority at a later date.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter