The Welsh Government’s phosphates policy sets new targets for phosphate pollution in rivers and has severely impacted housing and wider planning developments in Wrexham. Due to this policy, in 2021-22, only 5,273 council houses were built in Wales, 24% less than in 2015-16. For two years, I have worked with the UK Government, Wrexham Council, developers, the Welsh Government, Dŵr Cymru and its subsidiary – NRW, to overcome this issue.
It has proven difficult to get specific information from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on the progress made towards resolving the Wrexham planning application backlog. However, we do know the following. With regards to the Gresford and Five Fords Wastewater Treatment Works, NRW have confirmed that they are in the final stages of determination. Both of these sites are being prioritised in the project and they aim to have the final permits issued within the next few months. This will allow Wrexham to progress as a city after two and a half years of stagnation due to Welsh Labour Government policy. To see everything that I have done so far on the permits issue, copy and paste this link into your web browser: https://www.sarahatherton.org.uk/news/sarah-atherton-mp-gets-ball-rolling-wrexhams-planning-application-backlog.