COUNCILLORS have spoken of their anger and disappointment after the First Minister of Wales approved plans to build hundreds of new homes in Llay.

Residents of the village have waited more than seven months for the outcome of a planning appeal to build 365 new homes and a 300 square metre retail unit on land at Home Farm on Gresford Road.

Llay councillors Rob Walsh and Bryan Apsley wrote to First Minister Carwyn Jones on Monday to express their concerns over the delay in announcing the outcome.

But yesterday the decision, made by Mr Jones himself, was released – with the appeal allowed and planning permission for the development granted.

Cllr Walsh told the Leader: “I’m incredibly angry and disappointed in this decision.

“It is an affront to democracy. All the hard work from residents who opposed this and the fact it was rejected by Wrexham Council’s planning committee seems to have accounted for nothing.

“I’m very disappointed in First Minister Carwyn Jones’ decision to support this recommendation.

“This is devastating to the people of Llay. The most important thing now is to make sure as many people know about it as possible.

“We did our best and I am very proud of everyone in the campaign. They worked so hard and I want them to hold their heads high.” 

Cllr Bryan Apsley said: “I am extremely disappointed – Llay won’t cope with this.

”There will be more people, more congestion on the roads, in the school, in the doctors.

“I think people are wise enough to realise this will have an effect on the whole village and it will spoil good countryside.” 

Cllr Dennis Owen, vice-chairman of Llay Community Council, said: “Three years of our lives we have been fighting this – on the planning committee there was not a single vote in favour of it. Everyone has been against it.

“It will destroy the village as we know it. I think democracy in Wales is dead.

“They have not listened to the electorate at all – my phone has been red hot and people are very upset about it. I thought we had done enough, but I am appalled.” 

In the conclusion of his decision, Carwyn Jones states: “I agree the need to address the lack of housing supply is a material consideration which attracts substantial weight when the scheme is assessed against local and national planning policies.

“The proposed development would comprise sustainable development, being located in close proximity to the existing services, facilities, employment opportunities and public transport options in Llay.

“It would not result in any significant harm to the character of the landscape and visual impacts.

“I am content the proposal would not undermine the principles of sustainable development or the creation of cohesive communities.” 

Eight months ago protesters lined the streets to show a Welsh Government planning inspector the strength of feeling against the proposals.

Prior to the appeal hearing in November the plans were thrown out twice by Wrexham Council’s planning committee, with concerns including that the planned development near Gresford Road and the Straight Mile could have huge implications on services in the area as well as issues with sewerage and a loss of agricultural land.