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The Planning Committee met on 1 September 2025 to consider three planning applications. Members agreed to visit the Llay site before deciding it, and granted permission for a community hub in Gresford and a replacement home in New Broughton.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Trevor Bates, Fred Roberts and Anthony Wedlake. The Lead Member, Councillor Hugh Jones also submitted an apology for absence, as did Councillor Robert Walsh, the local Member for one of the applications.
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 July 2025 were submitted. RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 July 2025 be signed as a correct record.
There were no declarations of interest submitted.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
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Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That Agenda Items 4b – Application No: P/2024/1070 – British Legion Social Club, Watts Dyke, Llay, Wrexham, LL12 0RL and 4c – Application No: P/2025/0022 – Police Station, 76 Chester Road, Gresford, Wrexham, LL12 8NT be brought forward for consideration at this time.
RESOLVED – That Agenda Items 4b – Application No: P/2024/1070 – British Legion Social Club, Watts Dyke, Llay, Wrexham, LL12 0RL and 4c – Application No: P/2025/0022 – Police Station, 76 Chester Road, Gresford, Wrexham, LL12 8NT be brought forward for consideration at this time.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That a site visit be arranged for Members of the Committee to view the application site prior to determination of the application by the Committee. Reason for decision To view the location of the vehicular and pedestrian access arrangements to the site and to consider whether the development would give rise to highway safety or pedestrian safety concerns.
The Chair welcomed Mr Dan Griffin of SG Estates to the Meeting, who spoke in favour of the application. 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: · Concerns raised by one of the local Members were included in the addendum report. · Confirmation that additional hedgerow would be planted which would deliver net benefit to biodiversity. · The site was previously selected as an allocated site in the unadopted LDP and is within the settlement limit within the UDP. · No objections had been raised by Public Protection, but they had recommended noise mitigation measures be put in place. · The scheme was acceptable in terms of its design, and it met recommended standards with regard to amenity. · Concern that there was only one pathway providing access to the rear of the nine proposed properties and access to the green space on the estate, and it was therefore proposed that a site visit take place to consider whether the development would give rise to highway safety or pedestrian safety concerns. · Confirmation that the proposed vehicular access road had been included to reduce concerns by Highways that vehicles may stop to drop pedestrians off on the Llay New Road. · Confirmation that the whole site would be 100% affordable housing. RESOLVED – That a site visit be arranged for Members of the Committee to view the application site prior to determination of the application by the Committee. Reason for decision To view the location of the vehicular and pedestrian access arrangements to the site and to consider whether the development would give rise to highway safety or pedestrian safety concerns.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That permission be granted in accordance with the Officer recommendation, subject to the following amendment to condition 6: Condition 6 Notwithstanding the details shown on drawing No. L102/102 Rev A, the use hereby permitted shall be permanently cease within 28 days of a failure to meet any one of the requirements set out in i) to iv) below: i) Within 12 weeks of the date of this decision details of car parking and turning scheme shall have been submitted for the written approval of the local planning authority. The scheme shall provide for at least 1 space to mobility standards; ii) If within 20 weeks of the date of this decision the local planning authority refuse to approve the details or fail to give a decision within the prescribed period, an appeal shall have been made to, and accepted as validly made by, the Welsh Ministers iii) If an appeal is made in pursuance of ii) above, that appeal shall have been finally determined and the submitted details shall have been approved by the Welsh Minsters iv) The parking and turning scheme has been laid out in accordance with the approved scheme within 12 weeks following the date of approval in writing by the Local Planning Authority or, in the event of ii) and iii) above, by the Welsh Ministers. The parking and turning area shall thereafter be permanently retained in accordance with the approved scheme and shall be kept free of any obstruction, and made available solely for the parking and turning of vehicles at all times.
The Chair welcomed Mr Hugh Ogwen Griffiths and Mr Stuart Hatherall of Blueprint to the Meeting. Mr Griffiths spoke against the application and Mr Hatherall spoke in favour of the proposals. The local Member, Councillor Jeremy Kent addressed the Committee and highlighted a number of concerns he had with the application, unless robust conditions were imposed. He explained that traffic was already causing problems and felt that this application would result in an increase in traffic. 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: · A Committee Member welcomed the application and highlighted the benefits that a community hub brought to the people using the facility. · Concern that there didn’t appear to be disabled parking provision. · Suggestion that temporary approval be given and one of the car parking spaces be designated as a disabled bay. RESOLVED – That permission be granted in accordance with the Officer recommendation, subject to the following amendment to condition 6: Condition 6 Notwithstanding the details shown on drawing No. L102/102 Rev A, the use hereby permitted shall be permanently cease within 28 days of a failure to meet any one of the requirements set out in i) to iv) below: i) Within 12 weeks of the date of this decision details of car parking and turning scheme shall have been submitted for the written approval of the local planning authority. The scheme shall provide for at least 1 space to mobility standards; ii) If within 20 weeks of the date of this decision the local planning authority refuse to approve the details or fail to give a decision within the prescribed period, an appeal shall have been made to, and accepted as validly made by, the Welsh Ministers iii) If an appeal is made in pursuance of ii) above, that appeal shall have been finally determined and the submitted details shall have been approved by the Welsh Minsters iv) The parking and turning scheme has been laid out in accordance with the approved scheme within 12 weeks following the date of approval in writing by the Local Planning Authority or, in the event of ii) and iii) above, by the Welsh Ministers. The parking and turning area shall thereafter be permanently retained in accordance with the approved scheme and shall be kept free of any obstruction, and made available solely for the parking and turning of vehicles at all times.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That permission be granted in accordance with the Officer recommendation.
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: · The proposed dwelling would enhance the character and appearance of the site. · It was considered that there would be public benefit to remove trees and hedgerows at the site. RESOLVED – That permission be granted in accordance with the Officer recommendation.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the list of delegated decisions be noted.
The Chief Officer Economy & Planning submitted a list of delegated decisions for the period 1 to 31 July 2025. RESOLVED – That the list of delegated decisions be noted.
The Chair informed Members that David Fitzsimon, Chief Officer Economy & Planning would shortly be leaving the Authority. He congratulated him on his new appointment, adding that he would be sorry to see him leave. Members concurred with the comments of the Chair and conveyed their sincere thanks to and best wishes to David.