Mold: Plans for a new work opportunities day care centre approved

A new work opportunities day care centre will be built in Mold for the benefit of the whole of Flintshire, after plans were given the green light.

Flintshire Council’s planning department has approved the authority’s bid to develop the facility at Maes Gwern in Mold to provide new skills and support for young people and adults towards gaining employment.

Proposals were drawn up by Lovelock Mitchell Architects to redevelop the land which is close to the Mold bypass, providing a new centre for a capacity of 80 people, the majority of which will be students with additional learning needs.

A design and access statement submitted with the application stated: “The proposed facility will replace the existing Tri-Ffordd facility which is no longer fit for purpose.”

The plans show that there will be an internal glazed screen between a shop/café and the workshop so visitors can see the activities within the workshop.

And each workshop will have views and access out to the outside learning area to the rear of the site.

A third block will house an office, social room, meeting room and quiet room.

A total of 20 parking spaces are to be provided next to the building, of which five will be accessible, with another 15 standard bays, three of which would have electric vehicle charging points.

Concerns from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) about potential phosphates pollution entering local rivers has been addressed in the planning officers’ report.

It states: “The proposal has a direct connection to employment uses as its purpose is to impart employable skills to its users which will benefit the wider local economy.

“In addition the proposal utilises a presently underused piece of previously developed land, which is currently unsightly and negatively impacts upon local amenity, and introduces an attractive and appropriately designed and scaled building that compliments the general built form of the employment area it sits within.

“It is wholly appropriate to site this development on this site and I consider that the proposal complies with the relevant policies.”

The report adds: “It is considered that the proposal is acceptable in principle and with regard to all other material matters.

“In accordance with NRW guidance regarding phosphates this development can be screened out and will not significantly impact the River Dee and Bala SAC.

As such it is recommended that the proposal is acceptable and permission should be granted, subject to the suggested conditions.”

Those conditions include the implementation of a foul and surface water drainage scheme.

The proposals were given approval in a delegated decision signed off by Flintshire Council’s chief planning officer Andrew Farrow.

By Rory Sheehan – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).