Estate homes decision is deferred

An artist's impression of how the houses might look

A decision on plans to build 223 new homes on the Erddig estate has been deferred by Wrexham Council.

The plans had been recommended for approval, but will now be revised after councillors refused permission for two sets of traffic lights.

The National Trust (NT) claims sale of the land will help protect the future of Erddig Hall.

But in January, local people voted 385-209 against the development in a referendum at nearby Rhostyllen.

Members of the Rhostyllen Residents' Committee fear the houses will bring more traffic.

"Our campaign to stop this development will continue - we will appeal to the Welsh assembly [government] if we don't get the decision we want" Carrie Harper, Cymuned

Backed by Welsh-language pressure group Cymuned, the residents' committee has also raised concerns about environmental damage, pressure on services and loss of local identity.

The campaigners persuaded Wrexham Council to stage the referendum in the ward of Esclusham - which includes the villages of Rhostyllen, Bersham and Pentre Bychan.

At a meeting on Monday, members of the planning committee approved plans for a community centre, retail unit and cafe within the proposed development.

However, in a separate vote they refused permission for two sets of traffic lights on Wrexham Road.

Therefore, in a final vote, a decision on the 223 residential dwellings was deferred, subject to the plans being revised.

A National Trust spokeswoman said they would look again at the plans in the light of the committee's decision.

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

After the meeting, Carrie Harper, of Cymuned and the Residents' Committee, said: "It seems that the council has already made the decision that this development will go ahead, subject to a few changes.

"They have completely ignored the views of local people.

"But our campaign to stop this development will continue. We will appeal to the Welsh assembly [government] if we don't get the decision we want."

The NT, which owns the site, has said money from the project would help safeguard the future of Erddig Hall and about 1,000 acres of adjoining land for enjoyment by the public.

It is selling 20 acres of land, which has outline planning permission for a more than 200 houses, a community hall, tea room, shops, parks and a playground.

A quarter of the new houses would be "affordable homes".

It is understood council officers have recommended councillors on the planning committee give the development the go-ahead because there is no planning reason why it should be refused.