EV Charging points near Chirk McDonald’s set for refusal

Plans to install electric vehicle (EV) chargers at a drive-thru takeaway could be rejected next week.

David Fitzsimon, Wrexham Council’s chief planning officer, has recommended that the proposals to install the charging points on land near Chirk McDonald’s are refused.

Planning committee members will debate the application, initially submitted in 2021, at a meeting on Monday 5 February.

The application proposes a change of use of land adjacent to Chirk McDonald’s to allow for the development of a new car parking and EV charging points.

In their submission in 2021 the applicants said that the new plans had been put forward due to the expected increase in electric vehicles in the coming years.

The initial plans also included a drive-thru coffee shop, however this has been removed from the application due for debate next week.

No objections were raised about the plans, with local Councillor for Chirk, Frank Hemmings, stating that he “welcome this facility to facilitate EV charging facilities on a main route into North Wales.”

Cllr Hemmings continues on state: “This Council has declared a climate emergency. A vehicle charging station fits into that agenda and the development of electric vehicles.

“2035 sees the end of petrol and diesel cars being produced we need to be prepared in Wrexham.

“Information published by Welsh Government in 2020 stated that there is a need for between 30000 and 50000 fast chargers and up to 3500 rapid chargers over the next decade, one of the biggest barriers to people not buying electric cars is the lack of charge points, as petrol and diesel cars are phased out this facility is of greater importance.

“The site is adjacent to 2 major roads into North Wales the A5 and A483 are very busy trunk roads with traffic coming from South Wales and the Midlands, an ideal stopping point for those entering and leaving the County Borough.

“The site is next to one of the busiest McDonalds restaurants in the UK and an ideal catchment for motorists.”

However the chief planning officer notes that the proposed development is outside of the defined settlement limits and is contrary to policy.

He adds that “there appears to be no reason why the existing nearby McDonald’s carpark is not better suited to such an installation or the expansion of the current EV offering within.”

A report due before councillors on Monday continues onto say: “EV charging points exist at Mile End Services and at intervals along the junctions of the A483 at Halton McDonalds, Costa Ruabon Services and the Ramada Plaza, Ellice Way. EV charging points along this section of the A483 would therefore appear to be catered for.

“Whilst it is acknowledged that the existing locations could benefit from an increase in number of charging spaces, there is no evidence within the submission that there is a shortage of spaces in these locations.

“There appears to be no reason why the existing nearby McDonald’s carpark is not better suited to such an installation or the expansion of the current EV offering within.

“Other existing parking areas or service stations elsewhere along the A483 would make for suitable options without using greenfield sites. Other land within the settlement of Chirk or nearby industrial and employment sites has not been fully explored and discounted.

“The need for this facility has not been established and the proposed unnecessary incursion into the countryside is therefore considered to be unacceptable.”

Mr Fitzsimon added: “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 for such a development.

“No substantive information has been submitted to demonstrate that other existing parking facilities or other sites within settlement could not be used for the purpose of charging electric vehicles.

“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.”

The application will be considered by members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee at 4pm on Monday 5 February. The meeting will also be webcast on the Wrexham Council website.