New Town Centre Police Station Plans Deferred – Again

Plans to convert the former Oriel Gallery into a new town centre police station have been deferred for a second time amid fears of the impact the development will have on disabled car parking spaces.

Members of Wrexham’s Planning Committee voted in favour of deferring an application by North Wales Police to convert the former Oriel Wrecsam site, in the library, into a small town centre police station.

As we reported in December 2015 the main new police HQ in Llay has had the green light, however there is an issue with car parking holding up the plans to remodel the library in to a smaller town station. The concerns are over eight dedicated disabled parking spaces on Rhosddu Road, which would be lost if planning permission for the station was granted.

Speaking at this evening’s meeting, Planning Officer David Williams said: “There were issues
in relation to loss of eight disabled parking spaces on the Rhosddu Road side of the library because that area will be taken up by police to house operational vehicles. They have indicated they need 20 spaces.

“Those spaces were to be accommodated on the Chester Road side of the building with police providing an additional space and a further seven within the car park, which form an extension of the existing disabled spaces.

Referring to the original deferment he said: “The issues relate to the proximity of the replacement parking provision to shop mobility on Egerton Street.

“It is possible if this isn’t approved, then we won’t have a police presence in Wrexham Town Centre. We need to weigh up a single issue against the need to have a police station in the town. There is a potential danger if it is refused that the facility can be lost.

Later due to the Council Officer telling the meeting that the town centre station could be lost permanently if the proposals were rejected a Councillor challenged the claim and referred to it as ‘blackmail’.

Mr Williams added that the proposal is to not provide blue badge parking facilities on Egerton Street, which would provide an additional six disabled parking spaced. The proposal would see Egerton Street becoming a pedestrianised area – aside from delivery vehicles and those who have offices on the street.

However concerns about the loss of the disabled car parking remained, with Cllr Steve Bayley saying: “It’s long established and a well used disabled facility. I looked at Egerton site and if you can get five vehicles on there you will be doing well.

“Where the spaces are now there are plenty of space whether you are a driver or passenger. If look to relocate disability parking spaces, why not look at relocating eight police spaces to Chester Street side?”

Chairman Mike Morris added: “That was one of the questions I have asked, if eight spaces can stay where they are, why can’t police spaces go to the other side.”

Reference was also made to a local petition objecting to the loss of the parking spaces, which was signed by over 250 residents.

Cllr Phil Wynn said: “I am aware that a petition was signed by over 250 local residents, it hasn’t been acknowledged in the addendum. Members should be made aware of it if they haven’t already. As an authority we have had since August 2014 to foresee this problem with the loss of disability parking and the lead member at the time gave assurances there will be no loss of spaces when the Oriel moved.

“I welcome a new purpose built police station, however with ageing population we should be discussing more provision of disability parking in town, not less.”

After the meeting a post on the Wrexham.com Forums stated that the petition had been submitted in time and could have been included.

Cllr Paul Pemberton added: “We are looking at the position of the disabled parking spaces, not the amount. I’ve been lobbied several times as a councillor by disabled people who lobby for disabled parking outside their own homes and have been told the council don’t have the means or provision or policy to provide this.

“By doing this on Egerton Street we will be setting a precedent throughout the Borough, this will cost an absolute fortune and it will be us to pick the bill up. I can’t see that Egerton Street is suitable on safety grounds and I can’t see how you will get six vehicles there and wheelchairs in and out. There are a number of heavy delivery trucks delivering stuff, and I propose it’s deferred until more suitable application comes forward.

Clr David Kelly pointed out his perceived difference between treatment of the police application and what would happen with a normal development application involving parking where outright refusal would likely occur.

The feel of the meeting was one critical of the parking plans, with one councillor saying he felt the police had not got ‘off their backsides’ on the issue.

Rather than outright refusing the plans, which the meeting was told could then result in an appeal and the development pressing ahead with the parking unchanged, a deferral again was opted for to retain some form of influence over the outcome of the issue with the hope that further discussions this month will see a compromise solution put in place.

Members voted in favour of deferring the application for a second month – with two councillors abstaining from the vote.