Wrexham store earmarked for extension approval

A GROCERY store along a main route to Wrexham city centre looks set to be granted permission for extension despite community council concerns.
Wrexham Council’s planning committee will decide next week whether to approve the demolition of outbuildings to make way for an extension and new plant area at the Chata Polska store at Pen Y Bryn.
Offa Community Council has raised a number of issues it has with the plans, ranging from concerns for trees at the rear of the site, and the scale of the extension, to claims that conditions applied to original approval for the store have not been implemented since it was converted from the former Halford’s garage in 2015.
But the community council is supportive of demolishing the inadequate outbuildings and replacing them with modern facilities.
A planning officer’s report to be looked at by councillors at the meeting suggests the proposals are acceptable and should be granted.
The report states: “The site lies in the district shopping centre of Pen Y Bryn.
“Policy S5 allows for new shopping development within this area provided that it is appropriate in scale in relation to the function of the area and is of a type which would complement and enhance the existing centre.
“The proposal is for an extension to an existing retail unit to provide/replace existing back of house storage and staff facilities to enable the existing retail unit to function more effectively. The proposal would also involve a replacement plant area.
“An existing cold store/link building has already been removed and the remaining part of the existing units would be demolished as part of the development. The applicant has confirmed that the proposed extension would not include a bakery area.
“The proposal would be an appropriate use, being a replacement to an existing storage area at the site and would be appropriate in scale and is therefore considered to be acceptable in principle.”
Concerns about parking are also addressed in the planning officer’s report.
It adds: “The development would not result in the loss of any parking spaces. The number of parking spaces to the front of the building will remain at nine.
“The site is also in a sustainable location where many customers may arrive on foot.
“There are a number of on-street parking bays along both Pen Y Bryn and Tenters Square which could potentially be used by customers visiting the retail unit. Whilst these are limited to 30 minutes from 8am until 6pm, customers will be aware of this restriction.
“Customer parking is likely to be short stay given the nature of the use, with spaces regularly becoming available.”
A landscaping scheme is also likely to be made a condition of approval with recommendations from the council’s tree officer.
The planning committee meets on Monday (January 9) to decide on the application.