Plans for Supported Living Scheme in Wrexham Village Facing Anti-Social Behaviour Concerns

PLANS to create a supported living scheme for people aged 16 and over in a Wrexham village could be approved despite anti-social behaviour concerns.
Wrexham Council’s social services department applied in June to convert a family home on Stryt Maelor in Bwlchgwyn into a residential care facility.
The property, known as “Chanticleers”, would be used to house up to five residents and two staff members.
The local authority said the development would help young people to live independently and improve their social networks.
However, some villagers fear the home is in an unsuitable location, with elderly residents living nearby.
A total of five objections have been submitted ahead of a meeting of the council’s planning committee on Monday (October 7, 2024) to decide on the application.
The proposals have been recommended to go ahead by a senior official despite the opposition.
A summary of the objectors’ comments contained within a report to councillors states: “When Wrexham Social Services originally discussed the proposal with residents it was to be a home for children up to the age of eight years old.
“Now it is to be for children and young adults preparing to leave the care home system.
“The proposed age group are vulnerable and potential targets for questionable behaviours.
“The area is occupied by large number of elderly people who live alone. The prospect of change causes great concern. There is also the potential for anti-social behaviour.”
Wrexham’s chief planning officer has advised committee members to approve the scheme.
David Fitzsimon said in the report that the proposals would not have a negative impact on neighbours, with staff based at the facility 24 hours a day.
He said: “Concerns have been raised regarding the use being inappropriate for the rural area.
“Although the use does fall within a different use class from the existing property and the surrounding dwellings, the character of the use is still residential, and is comparable with many of the forms of use which can occur.
“Objectors have raised concerns regarding the potential behaviours of the residents.
“It would be for the care workers to ensure the security and safety of the children and adults who live at the site.”
He added: “Whilst the nature of the proposal has changed since neighbouring residents were initially notified by Wrexham Social Services, the application put before the planning department is for a supported housing scheme for citizens of 16-plus years.
“Neighbouring residents have been invited to comment on this application and representations received have been taken into consideration in the decision-making process.”
The proposals show some changes would be made to the existing building, including the demolition of a garage to provide a single-storey extension.
The care facility would have three en-suite bedrooms on the first floor, with a lounge, kitchen and self-contained annexe for one resident at ground level.
A staff office would be created within the main building with a bed for overnight stays, along with a detached outbuilding containing bedrooms for one staff member and one resident. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​