Flintshire planning committee tipped to back plans for 140 new homes in Buckley

Flintshire Council’s Chief Planning Officer is recommending that councillors support plans for a major new housing development in Buckley when they meet later this month.

The proposal, currently in its outline phase, focuses on delivering 140 new homes on land off Well Street in Buckley, with 40% of the units earmarked as affordable housing.

Despite receiving 235 objections, mainly concerning traffic safety and environmental impacts, council planning chief Andrew Farrow has determined that the project aligns with Flintshire Council’s relevant development management policies.

Clwyd Alyn has applied to build the houses on undeveloped farmland, consisting of two fields with hedgerows.

There is already existing built-up residential development on the northeastern and northwestern boundaries of the site.

The site has been earmarked for residential development under Flintshire County Council’s current Local Development Plan (LDP).

A report to be presented to councillors states: “Clwyd Alyn proposes that a minimum of 40% of the total units will be for affordable housing, with the remainder sold as market housing.”

“There is considerable demand in Buckley for social and affordable housing, and it can support a development of this size. Housing Strategy will work with Clwyd Alyn to achieve a sustainable property and tenure mix based on the housing need for the area.”

The planning officer has stipulated a comprehensive set of conditions that need to be met before any building work can commence.

These conditions range from the submission of more detailed plans, encompassing appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale, to specific requirements that address environmental, infrastructural, and community considerations.

Key among these conditions is the necessity for approval of ‘reserved matters’ – detailed aspects of the development plan – by the local planning authority.

This includes the submission of various assessments and plans, such as ecological management strategies, transport assessments, and a heritage impact assessment, ensuring that the development respects and integrates with its surroundings.

Additionally, the planning officer emphasises the importance of infrastructure compatibility, with conditions such as the realignment of existing streets, the design of site access points, and the implementation of adequate parking and bicycle storage facilities.

Environmental and historical preservation are also focal points. The development must undergo a thorough site contamination investigation, along with an archaeological work programme, safeguarding both the environment and any historical artefacts that may be present.

Furthermore, conditions such as the submission of a Green Infrastructure Assessment and a scheme for biodiversity enhancement highlight a commitment to ecological sustainability.

Flintshire Council’s Education & Youth department also plans to secure a developer contribution to support Southdown CP School. This move aims to enhance educational facilities, with the department seeking a substantial amount of £330,939.00.

In his report, Andrew Farrow said: “This is an outline application for the principle of development, with all matters, other than access, reserved for future consideration.”

“The proposal will deliver 40 % affordable dwellings across the site, in accordance with the relevant LDP policy.”

“It is considered that the proposal is acceptable and complies with the relevant development management policies and as such is recommended accordingly.”

The plans will be discussed by the council’s planning committee at a meeting being held on November 22.