Racecourse plans put on hold by Council

29 April 2008

PLANS to redevelop part of Wrexham FC's Racecourse ground and pump money back into the club are on hold following a council meeting last night.

Councillors have decided to undertake a site visit to land off Crispin Lane, set to be turned into three eight-storey blocks of student accommodation, after concerns were raised about parking provision.

Residents and community councils have claimed the allocation of just four car parking spaces for potentially 305 extra students will lead to an increase in vehicles, thereby clogging up surrounding streets.

Wrexham Council's chief planning officer, Lawrence Isted, has said the location features excellent transport links and that most students would not use their own cars.

But speaking at a planning committee meeting last night, local resident Haydn Taylor said: "I think we all know in the real world students do have access to their cars and it is very misleading to suggest they don't.

"There is already an existing parking problem, so to accommodate more students is a recipe for conflict."

He added: "The way this development has not progressed beggars belief. As a supporter, I want a win for Wrexham."

The plans for the student accommodation are part of a three-phase application to redevelop The Racecourse.

Wrexham Supporters Trust acting chairman Rob Griffiths has said his group is fully behind the plans.

The proposals have been submitted in different stages, with the aim of getting development 'kick-started', but this approach has attracted criticism.

Community councillor Gwyneth Roberts said: "It is a piecemeal approach to the development where there should be an overall approach."

The councillors' site visit is likely to be held on June 13.

Detailed proposals for the rest of the site, including the

redevelopment of one of the stadium's stands and an affordable housing scheme, will be submitted at a future date.

Speaking last night, Cllr Mark Davies said: "I would have been far happier seeing the whole, but dealing with it piecemeal, we are not going to get that."

Concerns have also been raised about the proposed height of the development, which Rhosddu and Offa community councils say could lead to an "over-intensification" of the site.