Future of Groves school building still in air as feasibility study report bounced to later in the year

A feasibility study that is looking at the future use if the former Groves school site has yet to be completed, delaying any examination or decisions over the derelict site.

A report on plans for the site was due to be debated at a meeting of the authority’s Customers, Performance, Resources and Governance Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday however has been bounced back yet again until later in the year.

In October Wrexham Council said it wanted to build a new school on the land, famously 43 days after it was deemed surplus to requirements.

Cllr Barrie Warburton said he is being asked about the school on a weekly basis by curious residents, and now wants clarity from the authority on its plans.

He said: “I have people stopping me on a regular basis asking me what’s happening to the Groves and I haven’t got an answer for them.

“People don’t want it to be turned into flats or houses and I don’t think it can be, so I’d like to see a medical training facility for doctors and nurses.

“It would suit the environment and the place. We need as many as doctors and nurses as we can get and there’s a site there to put it on, I’m sure it would be a huge success.

“I’ve been on the committee for a year now and they keep saying there’s going to be a report on the Groves to be brought to be scrutinised, but every time it’s due they’re waiting for another report on it. It’s a big part of Wrexham that’s standing idle.”

Support officer Craig Stevens explained the delay in the report being presented to councillors saying: “This has been delayed as the feasibility study in respect of the Groves is now expected to be completed by the end of July following the education department identifying some further considerations to inform decisions.

“Due to this, it is likely to be early autumn before the report is available for consideration.”

As we reported last year when we had heard of a grand announcement, there was much talk from now senior councillors that a medical centre would be their desire for the site.

Wrexham.com & Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).