Former Wrexham fire station to be demolished for new Cats Protection Adoption Centre after approval granted

Wrexham’s former fire station is to be demolished to make way for a new £1.7 million Cats Protection adoption centre, it has been confirmed.

In June 2017 Wrexham.com reported that the charity were looking to relocate from their current centre on Maderia Hill to the former fire station on Bradley Road.

The plans had been put forward due to the charity “outgrowing” its current home in Wrexham as it looks to boost the number of local cats and kittens it can help to around 500 a year.

Initial proposals to develop the former fire station site, which closed in 2016, had been mooted in June this year with a formal application for the demolition and redevelopment of the former fire station submitted in September.

In a document due before members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee next week, it has been confirmed that the proposed use of the site has been approved by the head of environment and planning through a delegated decision – meaning the plans will not be discussed by councillors in a public meeting.

Permission has also been granted for the display of the new Cats Protection signage on the site.

As part of the plans the former fire station building will be demolished, with a new, single storey property built on the site.

The new building will also “enclose a landscaped courtyard which will provide a therapeutic environment for the cat population. The building will also serve to act as a visual screen to protect and provide privacy to this area.”

At the front of the site parking provision would also be created, with deliveries, refuse collections and maintenance vehicles set to use the rear of the property.

In June it was also noted that staff numbers would increase from five to 7.4 full time equivalents and there will also be opportunities for more than 40 volunteers who play a vital role in running adoption centres.

Details put forward in the application earlier this year, stated: “The application’s design and access statement concludes: “The former Fire Station site occupies a prominent position on the approach to the town centre from the south west.

“The scheme has been developed to provide a building of quality which reflects the ethos of Cats Protection and fitting for such a location. The layout, flow and materials of the design and buildings have been carefully prescribed by Cats Protection in such a way as to maximise cat welfare and operational efficiency.

“The single storey solution, massing and siting improves the setting of the listed buildings and will impart no harm to either these or the integrity of the adjacent conservation area.

“We therefore respectfully advise that the proposal complies with current planning policy and should be supported.”

The new adoption centre is expected to be up and running by 2019.

If you missed our feature from almost exactly a year ago – we took a look inside the fire station after it had closed for the last time – you can see that here!.