PLANS to build seven new houses in a village have been rejected amid concerns over the loss of green barrier land.

An application was submitted in June in a bid to develop an area of land on Mill Brook Close in Lavister, near Rossett.

Developers said the area’s current lack of housing sites should carry “significant weight” in favour of the scheme.

However, permission has now been refused by officials from Wrexham Council because of the plot being located in the open countryside.

Planning officers also voiced concerns over the risk of flooding and road safety issues.

In their decision notice, they said: “The proposal for residential development lies within a green barrier and special landscape area and does not meet the criteria set out within policies where housing outside settlement limits and within green barrier will be allowed.

“The proposal would encroach into the green barrier, eroding its openness, as well as harming the character and appearance of the area.

“There are no material considerations associated with the application to warrant its approval.

“The application proposes highly vulnerable development within flood zone C2.

“The proposal has not demonstrated that adequate visibility can be achieved at the site access off Mill Brook Close or at the access points off Chester Road serving plots one and two, which would result in unsafe means of vehicular access to and from the development site.”

The decision was taken by officers using delegated powers with details of the outcome published on Tuesday, August 31.