Appeal launched after housing plans refused next to groundworks company in Sandycroft

An appeal has been launched after plans to build houses next to a groundworks business in Flintshire were refused. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Cheshire Tarmac and Driveways Ltd applied in November 2020 to build six properties on land at Station Road in Sandycroft. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The family-owned firm which specialises in tarmac and paving is currently based at the site, but looking to move to a larger premises. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

However, permission for the scheme was refused by officers from Flintshire Council in September last year after Natural Resources Wales said there was an “unacceptable risk” of the site being flooded. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Concerns were also raised about noise levels because of the proposed houses being located next to Sandycroft Industrial Estate. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

The company has now appealed to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales in a bid to have the ruling overturned. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

In an appeal statement, planning agents acting on the firm’s behalf claimed the economic benefits of the proposals would outweigh any harm. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

They said: “Whilst the site is recognised as being within a flood zone it is for a planning judgement to determine the benefits of the proposal against the perceived flood risk. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Given that the site is previously developed land covered by hardstanding, it’s redevelopment will not lead to an increased risk of flooding elsewhere. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“As outlined in numerous appeal decisions, Flintshire Council do not currently retain a suitable housing land supply. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Significant weight is therefore given to boosting the development of new sustainable housing developments.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

They added: “The significant economic and social benefits of the proposal would significantly outweigh a very low impact on flood risk to the surrounding area. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“The issue of noise was covered by correspondence with the case officer in which it was confirmed that the council were happy to condition this as part of any decision.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

A decision will be made on the appeal by a planning inspector appointed by the Welsh Government at a later date. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter (more here). ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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