Last chance to oppose controversial Flintshire development plans

A SIX-WEEK public consultation is being billed as the last chance for residents to oppose a controversial planning blueprint.

Flintshire’s unitary development plan (UDP) governs all major developments in the county until 2015.

Negotiations over the UDP have dragged on for six years, and more than 15,000 representations were made during a year-long public inquiry.

At a recent special meeting at County Hall, councillors approved a final report.Deirdre Burrows, Welsh Assembly Government planning inspector, had proposed a series of changes.

She recommended “deleting” at least part of seven sites from the UDP that had previously been earmarked for housing.

These were Alyn Park off Denbigh Road, Mold which is the home of Mold Alex FC, the former cricket pitch in Carmel, Lower Ash Farm in Mancot, land north of Issa Farm in Mynydd Isa, Cae Isa in New Brighton, Ysgol Talfryn in Brynford and the council depot in Dobshill.At the same time, she recommended a number of sites be “allocated” in the plan and earmarked for housing.

These were land west of Ash Lane in Mancot, the Broughton Shopping Park compound site, Overlea Drive in Hawarden and Rose Lane, Mynydd Isa.

A six-week consultation period on the final proposed changes is due to start in September.Hawarden’s Clive Carver was one of several councillors who reluctantly voted to approve the final UDP report while objecting to specific developments in their ward.

Argoed Cllr Hilary McGuill re-iterated her claim that the Rose Lane site was unsuitable for housing, while Caergwrle Cllr Stella Jones said it was unfair that a petition signed by many people only counted as one objection.

Planning officer Andy Roberts said representations were judged on quality, rather than quantity.

Cllr Carver, who lives on Overlea Drive, is against the Hawarden site being earmarked for housing.

He said: “I suppose this is effectively the last chance for changes and objections.“The problem is, we have to find new and compelling evidence.”

Flintshire town gives green light to new homes plan

PLANS to build nearly 60 homes on Saltney High Street have been given the thumbs-up by town leaders.

But Saltney Town Council members have raised concerns over access to the housing development, and are suggesting a one-way system be introduced.

Goldrock Investments Ltd has applied for planning permission to build 58 two-storey homes at 142 high street.

Asked for its observations at a recent meeting, the town council welcomed the application but expressed reservations over access.

Cllr Veronica Gay said: “This could be a godsend because we are desperately short of housing in this area, but my only reservation is that the designs only show one access route for 58 homes.

“This isn’t enough, and I’m concerned it could create a Shotton or Connah’s Quay-type traffic situation on the high street.

“Other than that, I think it’s a fantastic scheme.”

Town clerk Alan Thorniley said: “We are suggesting a one-way access system off the high street.”

The town council’s comments will now be passed to Flintshire Council’s planning department.

Morrisons says it is “hopeful” it will get planning permission for a new 65,000 sq ft supermarket on Saltney high street later this month.

The store would be based on the site of the old GT Owen and Bramall Quicks stores.