Plans to create 56 houses in Drury look set to be thrown out

Plans to create 56 new homes in a Flintshire community looks set to be thrown out after dozens of objections were received.

Muller Property applied to demolish one house in Drury, near Buckley, back in November in order to redevelop nearby land.

The company has already been refused permission to build a slightly larger number of properties on the same plot on Drury Lane on three separate occasions.

Its latest bid will be considered by members of Flintshire Council’s planning committee next week.

Ahead of the meeting, a total of 83 letters have been submitted in opposition to the scheme, raising concerns over extra traffic and the lack of local facilities.

The local authority’s chief planning officer has recommended the proposals should be rejected because of the impact on the surrounding countryside.

In a report, Andrew Farrow said: “As members will be aware there is a recent and significant background of planning history at this location which is material to determination of this application.

“There is no justification given by the applicant as to why it is necessary to extend the proposed development beyond the settlement boundary and into open countryside.

“Given this, the proposal fails to represent positive place making and the objectives of good design, as it does not respect to or respect the existing character and context of the site and surrounding area.

“This does not represent a sustainable form of development and as such little weight should be attached to increasing housing supply, due to the failings of this proposal.

“In these circumstances the proposed development is considered to be unacceptable and the recommendation is for permission to be refused.”

The last set of proposals were rejected in October as residents raised concerns about the demolition of a property which has stood in the area for more than a century.

Councillors were also told of issues with capacity at local schools and GP surgeries by one community member.

However, in documents submitted to the council, Muller claimed the latest plans would help to address a housing shortage in the area.

Representatives said: “The council’s inability at the present time to be able to demonstrate a five year supply of deliverable housing sites is a significant material consideration which weighs in favour of the proposal.

“The proposed development will deliver a number of benefits including new market and affordable housing to help address the identified shortfall in supply.

“The site is located in close proximity to a number of shops, services and local facilities that are accessible either by foot or bicycle, whilst public transport in the form of bus and trains are also located in close proximity to the site.

“In light of the tangible benefits that the site will deliver to the local community and wider area, we respectfully seek the support of the council to the proposals through the grant of planning permission.”

The plans will be discussed at a meeting at County Hall in Mold on Wednesday.
By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter (more here).