AN APPEAL has been made for the refusal of plans for a farm shop on the outskirts of Wrexham county borough to be overturned.

It follows claims the development, which would also see a cafe and bar created at Bowling Bank Farm in Worthenbury, would “bring the community together”.

Owner Dorian Hopkins applied to convert a stable at the farm on Mulsford Lane in December 2020 in a bid to diversify his business.

However, permission was denied by planning officials from Wrexham Council, who said it would represent “an undesirable intrusion into the landscape”.

They also said insufficient information had been submitted to show how it would impact on traffic in the area.

Mr Hopkins has since appealed to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales in an attempt to have the decision reversed.

In an appeal statement, he said there was a need for agricultural businesses to adapt in light of difficult economic circumstances.

Whitchurch Herald:

He said: “We feel Bowling Bank Farm could play such an integral part of community life if we are permitted to develop the site.

“Traditional farming methods have changed drastically and with global changes over the last few years, most notably the Covid pandemic and Brexit before that we firmly believe it is time to embrace the opportunities that farm diversification schemes could bring.

“Our proposal seeks to form a community hub that is presently missing within the village.

“We believe our application demonstrates the need for a farm shop in a community that has lost its post office, lost its school, lost its public house and currently has no easily accessible meeting place.”

He added: “We feel certain that if granted, a farm shop can fill the void for people who rely on groceries via online supermarkets or a trip to the supermarket in person.

“We want to open up our 20 plus acres for everyone to enjoy and bring the community together.”

Mr Hopkins said it would also create new job opportunities for the area.

But the local authority has stood by its original decision and called for the appeal to be dismissed.

In their statement, council officials said: “The extent of re-building and alteration required to restore the building to a usable condition, is considered would be tantamount to the erection of a new building outside a settlement limit.

“Furthermore, the building and its resulting curtilage would constitute an undesirable intrusion into the landscape.

“The proposal would not involve the conversion, or use of, a suitable building required for its purpose as a retail outlet in the countryside.

“Furthermore, no information has been submitted to demonstrate that the proposal would primarily sell goods or produce predominately made or grown on the premises.”

They added: “Insufficient information has been submitted with the application to demonstrate the traffic generation and anticipated vehicular movements associated with the proposed development.

“In the absence of this information, it has not been demonstrated that the proposal would not result in vehicular conflict and associated harm to highway safety along Mulsford Lane.”

A decision will be made on the appeal by a planning inspector appointed by the Welsh Government at a later date.