As Councillor Jones is aware, I had a long-standing prior engagement in my diary which meant I could not attend the meeting held at Maesgwyn Hall last week. I did inform Cllr Jones of this when I was invited to the meeting. However, I welcome the meeting happening as an initial stage in resolving the issue that has plagued Wrexham for nearly 15 years.
Wrexham needs ambition. Businesses are ambitious for Wrexham, the University is ambitious for Wrexham, the UK and Welsh Governments are investing in our city along with private investors. We could miss out on a golden opportunity to create a future for the area where we have the workforce and services needed to look after our aging population as well as creating a Wrexham that serves our younger and future generations well.
Whilst it is important to recognise that the Wrexham County Borough Council, the Welsh Government and the UK Government are separate sovereign bodies and not conflate the three, I would like to see a serious discussion that involves all stakeholders and works across the political spectrum to strive for a better future for Wrexham.
There is clear evidence that we need to look again at the type of housing we have in Wrexham and that includes social housing and council housing. A report published late last year by Rightmove shows that Wrexham is the busiest rental market in the UK outside of London, whilst figures published by the ONS earlier this month show that monthly rents have risen 7.5% in the past year. Furthermore, Belvoir Estate Agents have published statistics showing that house prices have risen by 27% in the past 5 years. This unfortunately means that a lot of people aged 18-34 have been priced out of the market and will be unable to purchase their own homes.
An LDP isn’t just about homes, it’s about infrastructure and services, including GP surgeries, schools, green spaces, transport links and shops. Without an LDP, we will end up with speculative development that will not provide services and infrastructure that we need.
I would also like to address Cllr Jones’s question on the Cefn Road and Ruthin Road key strategic sites. As he is aware due to his role as a councillor, these sites were selected by WCBC. As a community councillor in Offa, I opposed the Ruthin Road development as it was presented. I was at each public meeting to discuss that development.
The preparation work for the new LDP in 2028 should be happening now. I wish to see us move forward for the right plan for the future of Wrexham and I am prepared to work with anyone who shares that aim.
Wrexham Leader article here.
