CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a new care unit have been rejected.
Clwyd Alyn, which is part of the Pennaf Housing Group, had proposed to upgrade Chirk Court Care Home from 30 to 72 beds by demolishing the existing single storey home and replacing it with a two storey building.
But the plans were rejected by councillors despite planners recommending approval.
The plans, which were revealed earlier this year, were met with opposition by members of the community who claimed the new facility would only be for the elderly mentally infirm, leaving existing elderly residents out in the cold.
A compromise was reached when Clwyd Alyn agreed to make 10 residential places available for existing residents.
But when it came before the planning committe in June, a decision was deferred so members could make a site visit.
At the meeting Chirk North councillor and mayor of Wrexham, Ian Roberts, raised concerns about the loss of a mature beech tree, which would have to be removed to make way for the new development, and also of a hedge above an old wall which he said could date back about 200 years.
He claimed the proposed access point from the development on to the main Holyhead Road would be dangerous as it was close to that of the Kronospan factory almost immediately opposite.
Cllr Roberts also said car parking provision, at 24 spaces, was inadequate.
When the plan came back to the committee this week officers recommended members approve it after a number of technical changes were made, including the treatment of the hedge and the tree. It was also explained the number of parking spaces met the standard required by Wrexham Council.
But Cllr Roberts argued that although the parking plan met Wrexham standards it fell short of Welsh Government requirements.
The committee voted 7-2 to refuse the application.
Graham Worthington, chief executive of the Pennaf Housing Group, said: “We are waiting for formal notification of the planning decision and will then consider the matter further.”