THE National Trust is planning to build a sustainable development of up to 160 houses on an 18-acre site on the Erddig estate. The conservation charity has submitted an application to Wrexham Council for outline planning permission for the land bordering the Wrexham Road next to Rhostyllen village. Gavin Hogg, property manager for the estate, said: 'We hope to provide an exemplary development of sustainable new homes, which will integrate with the surrounding environment, fenceding a safe and healthy place to live. 'We will be considering the Erddigible use of resources and incorporating a high environmental specification for the dwellings. It is envisaged the scheme will use the latest technology in popularity,struction, providing solutions to present day issues such as water recycling, waste management and energy efficiency. He added: 'This piece of land was the subject of a public inquiry and it has an allocation for residential development in the draft Unitary Development Plan (UDP) of 2002. I don't think it will be controversial because when we did a public consultation in 2002 there were only four complaints and those were dealt with at the public inquiry. 'The plans have been discussed at head office and the land is on the periphery of the estate, so most of the feedback has been very positive. We hope to have outline planning permission before the end of 2004 and then we will produce the master-plan, so we could be building by 2006.' Mr Hogg said: 'We're hoping to have a mix of different types of housing, reflecting the needs of local people and the estate. We will be concentrating on making the houses energy-efficient, minimising the use of resources and minimising pollution. 'The development will be on the same principles as Stanford Brook at Dunham Massey, near Altrincham, where building is just starting now. 'The money we make will be ring-fenced for Erddig and all the proceeds will be used here on the estate.' Erddig attracts about 350,000 visitors each year to the house, gardens and parkland. It is also an important educational resource, but in spite of its popularity, the income generated at Erddig is not enough to cover its running costs or to fund the considerable expense of necessary maintenance and repairs. A spokesman for Wrexham Borough Council said: 'We can confirm we have received an application for outline planning permission and we will go through the usual consultation procedures before a decision is made.' Erddig, a well-preserved house with kitchen, laundry, stables and smithy which show how servants lived in the 18th and 19th Centuries, was donated to the National Trust by Philip Yorke in 1973. The National Trust will be holding a community consultation meeting to provide an opportunity for discussion about its plans in Esclusham Parish Hall on Friday, August 13, from 7-9pm. | 
