Trust votes for estate homes plan

The trust has said money from the development will safeguard the hall

National Trust members have voted against a motion calling for controversial housing development on a country estate to be abandoned.

Protesters against the proposed 223-houses at Erddig near Wrexham had said it was against the trust's pledge to preserve green spaces.

A lobby was held outside the trust's annual general meeting in Liverpool.

A trust spokesman said the scheme was key to the future care for Erddig and said it had considered local opinion.

He added: "We appreciate that developments of this kind will rarely be universally welcomed, and fully respect the right of people to express their views in this way.

The moral victory is with the campaigners Marc Jones, opponent

"We have consulted the local community throughout the development of these plans and have been able to include many of their ideas in the proposals."

Wrexham council had said outline permission for the scheme has been granted

The AGM held on Saturday, also heard a motion calling for supporters of the scheme to be removed from the trust.

Marc Jones, who was one of the National Trust members proposing the motions, said the campaigners had won the "moral victory" as more individual trust members had narrowly voted in favour of the motion to scrap the plan.

"The membership voted 14,318 to scrap the development, and 14,139 not to scrap [it]," he explained.

"However, the chairman had 8,019 discretionary votes to cast [from members who let him choose what to do with their vote] and he voted against scrapping the development.

"The moral victory is with the campaigners because the membership of the trust is split on this. They do not want this to go ahead.

Instead of conserving our heritage they are concreting over it Marc Jones

"From our perspective, the board has no authority to do this - it could split the trust in two."

He added campaigners were considering a judicial review, although the cost would be an obstacle.

"We're talking to lawyers about doing a pro bono or no-win, no-fee deal."

Mr Jones had previously described the Erddig development as "the wrong kind of project" for the trust.

"Instead of conserving our heritage they are concreting over it," he said.

"Local people use this land to walk their dogs and it is publicly accessible open green space"

Campaigners also planned to hold a protest outside Liverpool's Albert Dock building, where the AGM was taking place.

Carrie Harper, from pressure group Rhostyllen.com, said: "They are attempting to build a new village at Rhostyllen, which will deprive local people of one of their last pieces of open green space.

"Local people have voted against the development through a referendum yet the trust pushes on regardless."

The trust has said revenue from the sale of 20 acres will help safeguard the future of the 18th Century Erddig Hall and about 1,000 acres of adjoining land.

As well as new homes, the plans include a community hall, tea room, shops, parks and a playground.