Discussions surrounding Mold Road regeneration ongoing – Welsh Government increase offer for key Kop land

Following the success of Wales’ first international match in Wrexham for more than a decade, Wrexham’s Assembly Member, Lesley Griffiths has reiterated the importance of securing the freehold of the land adjacent to the Racecourse Stadium, bordering Crispin Lane and Mold Road.

The property at 2 – 4 Mold Road, which was acquired by Glyndwr University as part of the larger Wrexham Student Village site, is key to any potential regeneration but almost a year has passed since the Welsh Government first offered to acquire the land in an attempt to safeguard the area for any future use or redevelopment. Number 4 Mold Road was lately the Nightingale House Hospice shop, and former Dickens garage site.

Lesley Griffiths AM received confirmation last March that the Welsh Government were considering purchasing the land surplus to Glyndwr University’s requirements. An original offer was put forward in May 2018 but after a lengthy deliberation period, the Welsh Government increased their offer for the land at the beginning of this year.

Securing the land near the Racecourse is seen as an important component in the advancement of the ‘Wrexham Gateway’ project. A partnership between Welsh Government, Glyndwr University and Wrexham Council, the project’s aim is to regenerate the area of the town centred around Wrexham General Station and the Mold Road corridor.

The ‘kop land’ area was previously listed by agents with the following indicator of what land was considered a single lot:

In December 2018, a feasibility study was commissioned to examine all the development opportunities. The outcome of the study is due in May 2019 and Ms Griffiths has received confirmation from Welsh Government officials that they expect further discussions to take place once the report is published.

Lesley Griffiths AM has corresponded with the relevant partners for a number of months and hopes the May deadline will move things forward. She said: “Seeing the national team back in North Wales in front of a sell-out crowd clearly demonstrated the importance and potential of the Racecourse Stadium. The whole occasion was a major boost for the town and I am certain everyone in Wrexham would love to see this type of event take place more regularly.”

“Regenerating the Mold Road corridor will help achieve this goal and discussions between Welsh Government officials and local partners have been taking place for many months. The land known as 2 – 4 Mold Road is pivotal to any future redevelopment projects and, I believe, is particularly significant to Wrexham AFC and the Racecourse Stadium.”

“By offering to buy the land, the Welsh Government would be safeguarding the area to ensure all options for future regeneration can be explored, including redeveloping the Kop. It is a protracted process but it’s important the people of Wrexham are made aware of the ongoing work and commitment from the Welsh Government.”

“I hope some further positive news will be forthcoming in May once the feasibility study has concluded. Working in partnership is the best way to maximise Wrexham’s potential and achieve something truly special for the region.”

Any development of the Kop land would directly affect the access and future use of the Racecourse ground, thus fans have been hoping for a sympathetic owner rather than relying on the local authority due to the previous let downs by the planning and enforcement sections. For those interested in the history the site can read “Wrexham Council’s Planning ‘Gamble’ Fails As Wrexham Village Site Sell Off Starts” from 2015.

Top pic: A view through Mold Road after the Wales game, the corner of Crispin Lane makes up part of the key undeveloped site.