About Planning Policy

The main task of the Planning Policy section is to produce a Development Plan. The Wrexham Development Plan will eventually supersede all existing guidance and direct development to 2011.

A Development Plan sets out specific policies for the use of land and buildings providing a framework for local decision making and reconciling the need for development and conservation interests with maximum community benefits.

Development Plan

A Development Plan aims to:

• Protect the environment by directing development to towns and villages and away from open countryside

• Ensure there is an adequate supply of adequate housing and employment land to meet future needs

• Encourage urban regeneration and conserve the County Borough's heritage

• Ensure the continued success of Wrexham town as a shopping centre by directing retail development to the town rather than "out of town"

• Protect existing and encourage the provision of new community facilities

• Ensure the provision of adequate transport facilities and networks in particular sustainable transport to help reduce care usage.

Development Plans must take into account relevant national and regional planning policies.

The current development plan comprises of the following documents

• Clwyd Structure Plan: - 1st Alteration

• Wrexham Maelor Local Plan

• Glyndwr District Local Plan

Wrexham's Unitary Development Plan

The Wrexham Unitary Development Plan will eventually supersede existing guidance and direct development to 2011. The process can take a number of years but it allows for every person who wishes to comment to have their points heard and considered fairly and thoroughly. For example, the public deposit consultation led to 412 groups and individuals making 1158 comments, all of which the Planning Policy section duly considered and commented upon.

Download Wrexham UDP documents and plans

Wrexham's Unitary Development Plan

Supplementary Planning Guidance

The Council has approved a series of supplementary planning guidance documents which set out detailed advice on the way in which Development Plan policies will be applied in particular circumstances or areas. These are prepared in consultation with interested parties and are reviewed regularly to ensure consistency with national and local planning policies and alignment with community aspirations. Supplementary planning guidance is a material consideration in the determination of planning applications for development.

Supplementary Planning Guidance

Project Work

The Section has recently been involved in a number of projects which have a bearing on our environment and quality of life. Examples include:

• Wrexham Integrated Transport Strategy
• Public Open Space Study
• Parking Strategy
• Urban Capacity Study
• Housing Needs Survey
• Regional Planning Guidance both for North Wales and North West of England

Statistics and Forecasting

Our Statistician carries out statistical analysis and research for various departmental and Council strategies along with providing information to the public, business and students. Work includes:

• Census 2001
• Anti Poverty Strategy
• Crime and Disorder Study
• Unemployment Monitoring
• Population and Household Projections

Planning Technicans

The Planning Technicans team design and produce plans and documents for the Planning Department to a high graphical standard and ensure that all work projects a professional image. Work includes:

• Promotional exhibitions
• Published reports, documents and leaflets
• Expertise in GIS and map production
• Application forms and Guidance Notes
• Corporate bid documents (City Status, Sportslot Funding, Capital Challenge)

Planning Policy