Planning Committee

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 August, 2023 were submitted. AGREED - That the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 August, 2023 be signed as a correct record.

Agenda Item 4 – Development Management Applications Item No 4c – Councillor Trevor Bates Application P/2022/0621 - Personal and Prejudicial – The applicant is a family member. The Councillor withdrew from the meeting for this item taking no part in the discussion and voting thereon.

Member’s attention was drawn to the addendum which confirmed that a letter issuing a holding direction had been received from the Welsh Government Planning Directorate. To allow Officers to seek Counsel advice on the proposed Planning Obligation, the application was deferred. RESOLVED – That the application be DEFERRED Note 1 To allow Officers to seek Counsel advice on the proposed Planning Obligation.

The Head of Planning Development Management introduced the application and in doing so informed Committee Members of the following: · The large established facility is a significant employer in the local area · The proposed development would reflect the character of other buildings on the site. · There are currently approximately 250 residents being cared for on site · Continuity for the facility · The closure of some other facilities have led to a loss of capacity in the care sector environment · a similar development had received outline approval in 2019 · The proposed facility does not encroach on the green wedge · NRW agree a pre commencement ecology condition is no longer needed · There would be a negligible increase in traffic at any one time as staff working on shift arrangement · Minerals – a curtilage in the site, a buffer would be required · Phosphorus – there is capacity to accommodate the development A discussion ensued and members raised the following points · Concerns in relation to a lack of footpath in parts on the highway near development · Gwersyllt Community Council had raised a concern in relation to emergency access · Concerns that the development is outside of the settlement area and could potentially lead to a loss of green wedge. RESOLVED - That permission be GRANTED in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Officer Economy and Planning as set out in report (COEP/08/23) and in Note 2 below. Note 2 Delete condition 4 and replace with the following two new conditions: Condition The measures specified in Section 3: Amphibian Avoidance Measures, Section 5 Biosecurity Risk Assessment and Section 6 Badger Mitigation Measures of the Kingdom Ecology Ecological Mitigation and Management Plan dated 23rd June 2023 shall be implemented before development commences and shall thereafter be retained until all construction and external site works have been completed. Reason: In order to protect wildlife interests, which are afforded special protection in accordance with Policies GDP1 and EC6 of the Wrexham Unitary Development Plan. Condition The measures specified in Section 4 Bat and Bird Mitigation Plan of the Kingdom Ecology Ecological Mitigation and Management Plan dated 23rd June 2023 shall be implemented prior to the first use of the development hereby permitted. The measures shall thereafter be permanently retained. Reason: In order to protect wildlife interests, which are afforded special protection in accordance with Policies GDP1 and EC6 of the Wrexham Unitary Development Plan and to ensure the development delivers net benefit to biodiversity in accordance with paragraph 6.4.5 of Planning Policy Wales 11.

(Members’ declarations of personal interests in respect of this item are set out under Minute 10 above) The Development Management Lead introduced the report and in doing so reminded Members that this application had initially been to Committee in November 2022 when it was deferred for a six month period. There had been no interest in the property over the nine month period for commercial use. This confirmed that there is no longer a need for a commercial property in this area at these premises and that there would be no negative impact on the Glyn Ceiriog economy. RESOLVED - That permission be GRANTED in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Officer Economy and Planning as set out in report (COEP/08/23)

The Head of Planning Development Management introduced the report which was an application for the erection of a Storage and Distribution Warehouse and reminded Members that the principle of development is already established. He also informed Committee of the following: · A Noise assessment had been submitted and was accepted by Public Protection and there were no objections in relation to air quality · Ecology · No objections relating to traffic from Highways Department · Phosphorus – address the issue relating to connecting to a private treatment which Welsh water did not accept · Suggestion of a Lighting Scheme – to consider residents at Pentre Maelor Members were minded to grant the application. RESOLVED - That permission be GRANTED in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Officer Economy and Planning as set out in report (COEP/08/23) and Note 3 below. Note 3 Subject to Welsh Water confirming there is capacity in the public sewer network and Five Fords to accommodate foul water flows from the development and the completion of a Planning Obligation to secure the long term management of habitat mitigation measures.

The Head of Planning Development Management introduced the report and informed Committee that since the application was refused last year the applicant has ow submitted amended floor plans that ensure there are now high level windows with no overlooking or privacy issues. There is adequate parking on the site. Members raised concerns in relation to visibility on exiting the proposed driveway, particularly in relation to an existing hedge on the left of the site. Highways Officers confirmed that the splay requirement was acceptable. Members voted for a Site Visit to view the proposed access arrangements to the development. 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 Visit: To allow Members to view the proposed access arrangements to the development.

The Head of Planning Development Management introduced the report Members were minded to grant the application. RESOLVED - That permission be GRANTED in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Officer Economy and Planning as set out in report (COEP/08/23).

The Head of Planning Development Management introduced the report and informed Committee that the application is for change of use from Class A1 (Fishmonger) to Class A3 (Café) and that there are similar establishments in this area with parking available nearby. RESOLVED – That permission be GRANTED in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Officer Economy and Planning as set out in (COEP/08/23)

Mr John Filce spoke against the application. Mr Stuart Andrew spoke in favour of the application. The Local Member (Councillor Hugh Jones) spoke in relation to the application, he confirmed that the concerns were shared with him by Councillor R Shepherd. They had received complaints from local residents in relation to noise issues created by the rope on the flagpoles hitting the post. The Development Management Lead informed Committee that the application is for temporary advertisement consent for sales signage for an already approved residential development. RESOLVED - That permission be GRANTED in accordance with the recommendation of the Chief Officer Economy and Planning as set out in report (COEP/08/23) and Note 5 below. Note 5 Delegated authority to grant subject to an amended plan being submitted reducing the number of flag poles from 10 to 6, with the flag poles closest to residential properties being omitted.

The Head of Planning Development Management introduced the report. RESOLVED – That the information in the report of the Chief Officer Economy and Planning as set out in (COEP/55/23) be NOTED