Supermarket plan for Ruabon deferred

Wrexham’s planning committee has deferred a decision on a scheme to build a 46,000 square foot supermarket in neighbouring Ruabon. 

The decision may interest people in Llangollen opposed to a supermarket development at the Dobson & Crowther site on the A5. 

The council’s own officers recommended committee members to refuse the application by Manchester-based developers Capital and Centric PLC for the former Griflex site at Ruabon Industrial Estate on the grounds the applicants failed to show there was a need for a store of this size in the area.  

But at their meeting on Monday night, they decided to defer a decision on the plan until more up-to-date details are available for them to consider. 

A public consultation on the Ruabon proposal held earlier this year suggested “overwhelming support” for the £6 million project, according to Manchester-based developers Capital and Centric PLC, with 92 per cent of those consulted voting in favour. 

It is claimed the supermarket could create 250 jobs. 

However, Wrexham’s planning chief, Lawrence Isted, recommended refusal. 

He said in a report to the committee: “The Retail Assessment fails to demonstrate that there a need for a development of the size proposed and to adequately undertake a comprehensive sequential assessment of alternative sites.  

“The Retail Assessment also underestimates the detrimental impact the development is likely to have upon the vitality and viability of the district shopping centres of Rhos and Ruabon.  

“As such the development does not accord with policy S4 of the Wrexham Unitary Development or Planning Policy Wales Chapter 10 Planning for Retail and Town Centres.   

“The proposed is poorly located in order to promote a reduction in the need to travel and a reduction in the number of journeys made by private car due to the fact that it is located in relation to dedicated cycling routes, is remote from residential areas and is not served by bus services from large parts of the Primary Catchment Area.  

“The development does not accord with Planning Policy Wales Chapter 8:Transport and Technical Advice Note 18 Transport.   

“Due to the loss of existing soft landscaping, trees and hedges, the introduction of a large car highly visible park and the lack of opportunities for new landscaping, the development will have a detrimental impact upon the appearance of the locality and as such does not accord with policy GDP1(a) of the Wrexham Unitary Development Plan.”