Plans submitted to demolish two community centres

Permission is being sought to demolish two vacant community centres in Wrexham.

The chief officer of housing and economy at Wrexham Council has submitted an applications for prior notification for demolition of the Pentre Maelor Community Centre in Abenbury and the New Broughton Community Centre and Sports Pavilion on Bersham Road.

It is proposed that the “redundant buildings” are demolished to “mitigate the risk of vandalism and fire.”

The application documents continue onto say the works will include the hand demolition of roof coverings and internal soft strip.

A number of community centres across Wrexham have been taken over by trusts or voluntary groups, with initial proposals to close 10 of the 19 centres across the county borough put forward in 2014.

In the council’s 2018/2019 and 2020/2021 budget process, it was noted that demolishing three remaining community centres, and saving on business rates featured as part of the proposals.

The document at the time stated that Kingsley Circle – could be sold during 2017/18, 2018/19, while Abenbury and Penycae likely to be 2019/20

Until recently the centre in New Broughton had been operated by the local community council.

However over the summer Wrexham.com reported that community council had given the keys of the centre back to the local authority after it was targeted by vandals for the third time this year.

A drop in the number of groups, along with the funding to repair the damage, was also cited as a reason for the community council’s decision.

Commenting on plans to demolish the two community centres, a spokesperson for Wrexham Council, said: “Following consultation with the local community these buildings have been declared surplus to requirements.”

The demolition date for both community centres is listed as November 2019, with work expected the be complete by ‘early’ 2020.