Land on site of former Buckley pub could be developed for residential use

Land on the site of a former pub in Buckley could be developed for residential use long-term.

Flintshire Council has received a temporary storage planning application for the land at the rear of the former Cross Keys pub on Chester Road in the town.

While this application will be determined in the near future, the planning documents reveal that the long-term intention is to develop the rest of the site for residential use.

A planning statement lays out the proposals and the history of the site after the pub closed more than a decade ago and has since been developed into homes.

Submitted by Huw Evans Planning, it says: “The Cross Keys ceased trading as a public house over 10 years ago and has since been subject to two planning permissions. The first being for the change of use of the public house to provide three residential units granted and dated 10 December 2012.

“The second permission to be granted was in respect of a further five apartments, dated 14 July 2016.

“Both permissions have been implemented resulting in eight residential units on the site. The land at the side of the property fronting the road is used for parking and access to the land at the rear which extends some 75m to the north.

“Part of this land is used for storage and it is this area which is the subject this application.”

The application explains that the existing hard surface of the site is used by the applicant for the storge of plant and materials for his own groundworks business.

But it is noted that the best use of the site in the long-term will be for residential development.

The planning statement adds: “The building materials being stored on the site are generally limited to small quantities of aggregate, bricks and drainage pipes. It is to be noted that the use is limited to storage only of these items as no works are carried out on site.

“There are also two steel containers on site which provide secure storage for more valuable items and for personal use.

“At some future date within the next three years, proposals will be submitted for the residential use of all of the land to the rear of the former Cross Keys.

“Until such time the applicant intends to use this previously developed land for low key storage for his own groundworks business only. The temporary use of the land for storage as set out above is an appropriate use of this brownfield site.

“It is anticipated that within three years the site will be redeveloped for residential use subject to detailed planning approval. In principle residential use represents the best use of this highly sustainable site.”

Flintshire Council planners will make a decision on the application at a future date.
By Rory Sheehan – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).