Flintshire: Local MP takes a stand against proposed new 70 home development amidst flooding fears

A proposed new development near the Flintshire and Wrexham border has come under fire from a local MP.

Castle Green Homes has submitted a planning application to Flintshire Council for a new development off Wrexham Road in Abermorddu.

The proposed 70-home development, known as Bluebell Field, would consist of 37 three-bedroom properties and 12 four-bedroom detached homes, as well as 14 two-bedroom mid-end terrace properties, six three-bed end terrace, and one three-bed corner terrace property, which would be earmarked as affordable homes.

However, the proposed development has raised concerns that the site may be at risk of flooding and that there could be increased parking congestion at Abermorddu CP school.

In a letter to Flintshire County Council, Labour MP for Alyn & Deeside, Mark Tami, objected to plans for the development.

The site has been subject to planning applications for several years and was included in the Flintshire Local Development Plan, making it more likely that planning permission will be granted.

However, he warned that the site is not suitable for development and that previous flooding issues would only be worsened by the proposed development.

In his letter, the Deeside MP expressed concern over the developer’s assessment of the flood risk, which he claimed showed no knowledge of the historical issues the site has faced.

He warned that ignoring the evidence at this stage could have dire consequences in the future, both for new and existing residents in the area.

“This site is clearly not suitable for development,” Mark Tami said.

“Flooding issues have plagued it in the past, and building on this land will only worsen the situation for other residents nearby.”

“Worryingly, the assessment that the developers have had done of the flood risk appears to show no knowledge of the historical issues the site has faced.”

“A blindness to the evidence at this stage could have dire consequences down the road if this site is given the go-ahead, for new and existing residents alike.”

Cllr Dave Healey, who represents the Caergwrle ward on Flintshire Council, added his voice to Mark Tami’s objections, stating that the proposed plan failed to take into account issues such as flooding, phosphate management, and traffic.

“This plan fails to take account of flooding, phosphate management, or the traffic situation,” said Cllr Healey.

“I welcome Mark’s involvement with this issue. I have long campaigned against the development of this site, and the proposals made by the developer have done nothing to fix the problems in the last application, which after a sustained community effort, never saw the light of day.”

The decision on whether to grant planning permission for the development will be made by Flintshire’s planning committee.

If the committee rejects the plans, the developer may be able to appeal to the Planning Inspector in Cardiff.

In response to the concerns, Castle Green Homes, through their agents Grimster Planning, have said that the site is deemed to be at low risk of flooding and that the 30mph speed limit zone is to be extended, as detailed in the Transport Statement submitted with the planning application.

“They will work with Welsh Water to ensure that an appropriate and effective drainage solution is put in place, and affordable housing tenures will be discussed with the Housing Strategy Team at Flintshire County Council with the Housing Need Register at the time of the application to be considered.”