Historic coal mine shafts force fresh changes to 300-home Hawarden development
A Hawarden councillor has demanded that the developer behind a 300-home Deeside housing site face the public over its latest plans, saying residents cannot understand what is being proposed.
Cllr Sam Swash, who represents the Hawarden: Mancot ward, has forced Castlegreen Homes’ application to be debated by Flintshire County Council’s planning committee in public, rather than being signed off by council officers behind the scenes.
It is the second time Castlegreen has asked to change its plans since the 300-home development was first approved in August 2025.
Construction is well under way on the site, off Gladstone Way and Ash Lane.
Most of the changes are needed because ground surveys have confirmed the positions of old coal mine shafts under the site.
Houses have to be shifted to keep them at least 12 metres clear of every shaft.
In a statement to the committee, Cllr Swash said:
“The documentation submitted in support of the application is difficult to interpret and does not provide a clear summary of the proposed changes. A number of residents have contacted me to say that they’re unable to understand what the proposed changes are, and therefore feel unable to make representations. This is clearly not conducive to effective planning nor the involvement of those affected by the application. As such, I believe it is in the public interest that the developer present the changes at a meeting of the Planning Committee which is open to the public.”
Hawarden Community Council has also objected.
Five members of the public have written in to object.
The objections raise four concerns: that the changes are hard to understand, that bedroom numbers across the development would go up, that there are worries about the drainage ponds on site, and that one drainage point is too close to the roots of a protected oak tree.
The 300-home development, which includes 105 affordable homes, was first approved by Flintshire County Council in August 2025.
A first set of changes was approved in December.
The land sits over an area mined for coal between 1860 and 1890.
The committee report says the shafts on site are likely older than the mid-19th century.
A survey carried out since planning permission was first granted has now pinpointed exactly where they are.
The changes are a mix of plots being moved, house designs being swapped, and some shared driveways being narrowed.
Some homes are being made bigger and others smaller.
Across the whole development, the changes would add just three extra bedrooms.
The total number of homes, 300 including 105 affordable, is unchanged.
The Mining Remediation Authority said conditions already attached to the planning permission cover the mining issues.
The council’s highways officers raised no objection.
Welsh Water is still waiting for more detail on the drainage plans before giving its full view.
Planning officers are recommending that the application be approved.
Flintshire County Council’s planning committee meets at Tŷ Dewi Sant, Ewloe on Wednesday 20 May.
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
