Council Leader urges ‘extreme caution’ as vital Kop land attracts interest – University say ‘all options being considered’

Land behind the historic Kop at the Racecourse stadium is attracting interest from third party buyers, with many expecting it to have already been snapped up by Welsh Government to help enable regeneration.

The land is owned by Wrexham Glyndwr University and was acquired by the university as part of the larger Wrexham Student Village site, and is seen as key to any potential regeneration of the Kop end of the ground. With regeneration of Wrexham General station and the surrounding area, alongside a new western gateway improvement project, the land has added significance.

In December 2018, a feasibility study was commissioned to examine all the development opportunities for the Mold Road corridor and the outcome of the study is due this month.

Wrexham.com understands the Welsh Government has offered to acquire the Kop land in an attempt to safeguard the area for any future use or redevelopment on multiple occasions, however has not been successful.

Previously there has been some interest in the land from a fast food retailer, however there is a locally rumoured interest from a ‘developer’ that is being taken seriously by the University prompting concern from some quarters that the land could be sold aside from the apparent local stakeholder partnerships in place.

Council Leader Mark Pritchard told Wrexham.com today: “I am pleased and excited on where we are at this moment in time for the proposed future development of the Kop within Wrexham Racecourse Ground.

“We’ve been working in partnership with the Welsh Government and the University to deliver a fantastic stand on where the Kop is now.

“We want a stand which enhances the ground, which then will attract home internationals – so instead of them going to Cardiff we can have home internationals in North Wales.

“We have been working closely with Welsh Government and partners and I would ask everybody to be extremely cautious on who they work with in the future because of the issues Wrexham Football Club have had in the past with developers and partners.”

“I would err on the side of caution in moving forward with anybody until there’s been due process, full challenge and scrutiny of anybody who wants to work in partnership to redevelop the Racecourse Ground.

“I am pleased that the Welsh Government are working alongside us, but they have to move things along so we don’t stand still, and actually move forward with this proposed development.”

“All of us who are working together at the moment are committed to delivering this project and we wouldn’t want to allow anything to jeopardise it, or any company or individual to come in who haven’t got the same commitment to the Racecourse and Wrexham as a place as we have to Wrexham and the Racecourse.”

“History tells us that you can’t always believe what is being proposed by developers.”

“If you look what has been invested in South Wales to what Wrexham and what the Racecourse is asking for, it’s a small amount of money compared to what has been invested in projects within South Wales.”

A spokesperson for Wrexham Glyndwr University told Wrexham.com this afternoon: “The University continues to work as an integral part of the Wrexham Gateway Partnership alongside the Welsh Government and Wrexham County Borough Council.

“We are totally committed to regenerating the area around Wrexham General Station, including the land behind the Kop which is owned by the university.

“We have all been working to develop an integrated feasibility study and masterplan. This will enhance and integrate transport links in and around the station and open up new and exciting opportunities for jobs and commercial growth for Wrexham and North Wales.

“As a valued and important stakeholder, Wrexham AFC continue to be consulted about potential options as they emerge – as do all other parties.

“Final proposals for the site have not yet emerged and all options are being considered.”