Potential Renovation in Store For Wrexham Cemetery

A Wrexham Cemetery could be in for a renovation that will help restore and enhance the building’s historical features.

The Wrexham Cemetery, which is located on 140 Ruabon Road could be in for a renewal if planning proposals are passed.

Within the application it is proposed that work is carried out on three specific areas of the building; the cemetery chapels, the cemetery lodge and finally the replacement of two badly eroded stone piers.

The main renovation will take place on the Cemetery Chapels, which will have internal alterations to incorporate a records room, reception area and staff facilities. The rooms will also be fitted with double glazing.

It is also recommended that the toilet block to the east of the cemetery chapels is demolished.

Within the application it has also been proposed that sections of the Cemetery Lodge are demolished – with the rear flat roofed log store and a brick kitchen extension recommended for demolition. The building’s kitchen will be relocated to another building.

The cemetery itself was laid out between 1874 and 1876 by Yeoman Strachan of Wrexham, before it was later extended eastwards. The site was designed as a public garden and is now included on the Register of Parks and Gardens in Wales as an example of a Victorian Garden Cemetery.

However the application’s Design and Access Statement goes onto comment that the cemetery lodge and chapels are currently ‘under-utlised’, an issue with is ‘further compounded by the recent closure of the cemetery to allow new burials’.

The Design and Access Statement adds: “The HLF bid seeks to provide new and long-term uses for the cemetery, its buildings which will allow them to be appreciated, used and maintained into the future.

“The works seek to minimise the level of alteration to the building advocating repair where possible over wholesale replacement of materials which are not only for historical value but also contain embodied energy.”

It is hoped that the renovations will help enhance and restore the original features of the building.

For the interior of the buildings the primary changes include the installation of partition walls and screens. The application’s Design and Access Statement goes on note that that materials used during the renovations will not impact the building’s character and that the ‘historical fabric is not over-dominated by the new’.

Externally it hoped the alterations will ‘restore the original appearance’ of both the elevations to the lodge and chapels.

For the interior of the buildings the primary changes include the installation of partition walls and screens. The application’s Design and Access Statement goes on note that that materials used during the renovations will not impact the building’s character and that the ‘historical fabric is not over-dominated by the new’.

The application is expected to go before Wrexham’s Planning Committee at a later date.

(Google Maps Image of Wrexham Cemetery)