A TRAVELLER site between a Wrexham village and a historic hotel has been recommended for planning permission.
The single-family site has already been built on Llyndir Lane in Rossett, with hard-standing and a static caravan now situated on the former agricultural land next to Lavister Brook.
The site is just 300 metres from the main road through Rossett and Darland High School and 150m from the recently reopened Grade II-listed Llyndir Hall Hotel.
The full application is for one static caravan, one touring caravan, one dayroom, general hardstanding, a bio-disc treatment plant for sewage and amendments to the vehicular entrance with pony paddock.
Wrexham County Borough Council’s Planning Committee will consider the application this afternoon when it meets at the Guildhall with planning officers recommending the retrospective scheme is approved.
In their report officers stated that: “Having regard to the unmet need and the absence of either development plan-led solutions or a sufficient supply of sites with planning permission elsewhere, the development is considered to be acceptable.”
That is partly due to the fact that Wrexham’s outdated Unitary Development Plan – which was published in 2005 and is currently its only planning framework following the disposal of the more recent Local Development Plan – makes no specific need for the provision of sites for members of the Gypsy and Traveller community.
Meanwhile the most recent Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) identifies a need for 22 pitches in the Wrexham area.
Planning officers have recommended that approval come with the condition that only the two caravans included in the application be permitted on-site, to prevent it becoming a larger settlement.
The plans have faced opposition, with Rossett Community Council highlighting that the proposal is not in line with the LDP – despite that document being withdrawn – highways concerns and worries over the loss of best and most versatile agricultural land.
The proposed site is rated among the best agricultural land available.
There have also been 19 objections from residents, citing again the loss of agricultural land, the impact on the hidden St Peter’s Well at the back of the site, the potential increase in traffic when combined with the reopening of the nearby the hotel and the potential flood risk – a risk that has been dismissed by Natural Resources Wales.
Wrexham’s Planning Committee will decide on this application on Monday afternoon.
