Hopes flats and retail plans will ‘re-energise and inject investment’ into former Hippodrome site

Plans to build new apartments and two retail units on the site of a former town centre cinema have been formally submitted.

The application, which has been lodged on behalf of Hindle Property Investment Ltd, aims to ‘re-energise and inject investment’ into the former Hippodrome Cinema site on Henblas Street.

The land itself is currently cleared and secured and had a planning consent granted in 2006 (which has now lapsed) for the demolition of old building and construction of A1 commercial units.

Built in 1909, the cinema closed its doors for the final time in 1997. However in 2008 the building burnt down in a mystery fire – with the land sitting vacant and fenced off ever since.

Earlier this year the land was sold at auction for £98,000, with many locals hoping that the sale would see a ‘fresh lease of life’ breathed into the site.

The ball starting rolling last month when Wrexham.com reported that members of the public had been invited to have their say on proposals for the land.

Such plans included the development of two retail units with 13 apartments / studios above.

The land pictured in 2012

An application for the proposals has now been formally lodged with Wrexham Council, with the applicants stating that “it is clearly evident that the site would benefit from a scheme of improvement and regeneration”.

On the ground floor it is proposed that two retail units – which would be 200m2 and 282m2 – are built.

Details provided within the application’s design and access statement, explains: “The applicant recognises the importance of the high street as a focus for retail development and uses that are complementary to this.

“Sequentially the site scores highly being within the principal retail area of a town centre. This reinforces the vibrancy, viability and attractiveness of retail and commercial centres

“The site also forms part of the Wrexham Town Centre Master Plan the aspiration for which is to see more investment in vacant sites and the encouragement of further residential development.

“The proposal will increase footfall in the locality to the benefit of the surrounding retail offer.”

Based on the two floors above would be 10 studio apartments and three one bedroom apartments.

The applicants say that the accommodation style is: “Aimed at a range of occupiers including entry market level for those wanting to work locally within Wrexham, resident students or down-sizers wanting smaller or more manageable accommodation with access to local facilities and for residents that are not yet in car ownership and/or don’t require a car – hence living in the town centre for work, transport links and amenities.”

Given the site’s town centre location there are no plans for car parking, however internal storage for over 42 bikes would be provided.

It is also noted that the accommodation within the apartments would be of an open plan with the “studio design providing all required including living, dining, kitchen and sleeping accommodation alongside adequate storage provision and a desk area.”

Separate access points for both the retail units and the accommodation would also be provided.

The design and access statement ends: “In conclusion, we consider that the principle of development is acceptable in this location as it accords with the provisions of the Development Plan and other planning guidance.

“Further the scheme will deliver a whole range of benefits in meeting retail and housing needs whilst also bringing life back to a site which requires investment and renewal.

“The site has been vacant for many years. The proposal provides the opportunity to reinvigorate this area of Wrexham and improve the appearance of the Conservation Area.

“Having regard to the contents of the statement and the other documents submitted with the application we therefore request that planning permission is granted.”

It is the second batch of housing plans proposed for the Henblas Street area in recent months, with MCR Property – owners of the adjacent block of empty shops – putting forward plans to convert empty office space into more than 50 flats.

The application for the former Hippodrome site will be considered for approval at a later date.