Home » Wrexham’s planning decision remains safe despite Welsh Government challenge

Wrexham’s planning decision remains safe despite Welsh Government challenge

PLANNING decisions made by Wrexham Council will not face legal challenge despite the Welsh Government appeal over the LDP according to the council’s interim chief executive.

Wrexham Council’s planning committee met this week for the first time since December to rule on the current crop of residential and commercial planning applications without the legal framework of a valid Local Development Plan (LDP).

The Welsh Government is currently seeking permission to appeal against the latest court ruling in its battle with the council over the LDP – leading to questions over the validity of planning decisions in the borough.

But the interim chief executive of Wrexham Council Alwyn Jones has given assurances that the decisions made in planning committee are legally sound – to the relief of businesses, homeowners and developers across the region.

“Planning decisions made at committee are absolutely fully safe,” said Mr Jones. “The LDP is subject to legal process at this time but I fully believe that planning decisions made at committee were absolutely sound and it was important that the planning committee took place.”

The LDP is a legal framework for long-term planning that all authorities in Wales must produce every five years.

It allows councils to identify areas of land which can be developed for residential or business use and which are restricted. Council’s can use the LDP as a legal reference to support developments in designated areas or refuse those that fall outside of the plan. All councils in Wales must have a valid LDP in place.

Wrexham Council’s Plaid Cymru group leader Cllr Marc Jones – supported by some fellow councillors – challenged Wrexham’s latest LDP after it earmarked land for two new ‘super-estates’ on Cefn Road and Ruthin Road featuring 3,100 new houses.

He was opposed by Wrexham Council, the Welsh Government and six major housing developers.

After a judicial review and a High Court ruling in favour of the LDP, Cllr Jones took the matter to the Court of Appeal. It quashed the previous rulings, leaving Wrexham without a valid LDP.

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After Wrexham Council and the councillors involved decided to accept the ruling and move on with establishing a new LDP – dubbed LDP 2 – the Welsh Government sought permission to appeal once more in the Supreme Court.

“It’s not an easy process,” said Mr Jones. “We know we want a way forward that’s in the best interests of Wrexham in terms of development, but it is subject to legal process.”

Wrexham Council leader Mark Pritchard said: “I’ve lived and breathed this alongside Cllr Jones and the 20 or so other councillors and senior politicians who have driven this because we didn’t think it was right and I make no apologies for that.

“I’m really pleased that the three judges come down on the side of democracy and fairness because that has vindicated us. There’s a lot been said throughout this process – it’s a disgrace what’s been going on here and I will continue on this journey until everything is out in the public domain around how senior councillors have been treated during this campaign. It’s unacceptable in my opinion.

“I’m here to represent the people of Wrexham and what’s best for Wrexham. We are trying to work together to find a solution We are where we are and we have to move forward on the LDP 2 plan.

“Hopefully common sense prevails. I hope there’s enough common sense within all parties to resolve this situation because uncertainty is no good for anybody.”

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