Plans to turn former town nightclub into student accommodation could be set to move forward

Plans to turn a former town nightclub into student accommodation could finally be set to move forward.

Permission was granted to demolish the former Scotts Night Club in Wrexham town centre and build flats for 107 students and 54 car parking spaces in November 2013.

However, almost five years later work on the development has yet to begin and the derelict property on Brook Street has listed for sale for several years.

Now an application has been submitted to discharge a number of planning conditions which need to be fulfilled in order for the demolition to go ahead.

It follows a previous submission earlier this year requesting that the permission, which is due to expire in November, be extended for a further ten years.

In a planning statement detailing the proposed demolition work, contractors the Liston Group said drug needles and asbestos contamination will need to be dealt with before it can begin.

They said: “The scope of works covered within this statement consists of asbestos cement removal, demolition and clearance works to the site.

“The licensed asbestos will be removed prior to the demolition works by City Environmental Services.

“The buildings will have drug paraphernalia including needles removed from site by others prior to our works. Operatives need to be vigilant whilst working to avoid contact with anything not detected.

“Should any suspected asbestos materials be identified during the soft strip works then work in the area will cease immediately and the site supervisor informed, no work in the immediate area will recommence until the material can be correctly identified.”

Following the asbestos works inside the Scotts building, an inspection of the front wall will be carried out to ensure its stability during demolition.

In order to open up the site, the first property proposed to be knocked down is the former Rollings business next door. Work would then start on bringing down the Scotts building using machinery.

The original application said the site had been chosen because of its location in the town centre and easy accessibility to Glyndwr University.

Planning permission was granted despite concerns from some residents, who said it would result in the loss of part of Wrexham’s heritage.

The application will be decided by Wrexham Council at a future date.

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