Wrexham Civic Society unveil award shortlist – no room for Tŷ Pawb

The Autumn 2018 update of the long standing Wrexham Civic Society contains the short list of nominations for their awards evening.

The Society exists in part to promote high standards of planning and architecture, and runs annual awards along related themes.

Chairman Geoff Foy, has outlined why Wrexham Council’s Tŷ Pawb flagship development is conspicuously missing from the award shortlists, “I have been asked why Tŷ Pawb has not been included in the regeneration category. The reason is based on the unsolicited feedback and comments I’ve received. Firstly, that very little of the £4.5m cost of the scheme has gone to companies based in the Wrexham area.

“Also, that the scheme was opened before it was finished resulting in clouds of dust covering visitors, stalls and people trying to eat and drink. Closed stalls during the shopping day means a wasted journey for anyone trying to buy specific items or browse. Even art installations have had to be withdrawn because of condensation issues.

“Lack of adequate publicity and promotion means ignorance of anything worthwhile happening there. Even the black painted brickwork of the exterior seems to have been designed to make the building as forbidding as possible to enter. Of course, if the centre does indeed turn out to be the regeneration exemplar intended then we will shortlist it for future awards.”

Development plans by Wrexham Glyndwr University also comes in for a mention, “Tŷ Pawb and thoughts of large sums of money being given to consultants from afar to advise on projects in Wrexham brings us to Glyndwr University. The Society has made comments on the ill advised proposal to plant a large concrete structure in front of the existing entrance on Mold Road because it doesn’t look exciting enough for a ‘learning gateway’. Needless to say there was no mention of the measures taken by the University and predecessors to undermine the significance of this building and its entrance over the years. We will follow the passage of these proposals through the planning system with interest.

“Use of terms such as ‘arts hub’, ‘heritage hubs’ and ‘gateways’ and ‘pathways’ come straight from the consultants’ handbook of clichés and have become tired and meaningless, and should be avoided by councillors and officers if they want their words and documents to be taken seriously by the public of Wrexham.”

The Civic Society award nominations for 2018 are:

New Build a recently completed project of notable architectural merit and respect for context
• Grosvenor Road Care Homes, Wrexham
• Unite Building, King Street, Wrexham
• Village Bakery extension, Coed Aben Road, Wrexham Industrial Estate
• Tenters Square shopfronts, Wrexham
• Glow shop front, Charles Street, Wrexham
• Penycae school extension
• Ysgol Bryn Alyn extension, Church Street, Gwersyllt

Conservation of an existing building of Historic or Architectural Interest
• Esclusham Hall Coachhouse conversion

Regeneration through Renewal or Replacement of an Existing Building
• Chapel conversion, Talbot Road, Wrexham
• Trevor Basin Chapel Cafe conversion
• Wynnstay Arms, Ruabon
• Gresford Methodist Church
• Islamic Centre, Grosvenor Road, Wrexham

Landscaping/ Environmental Improvement
• Bellevue Park Memorial Garden, Wrexham
• Maes y Pant Country Park, Marford
• Ceiriog Valley Village signs
• Friends of Ruabon station
• Wetherspoons Frontage Display, Regent Street, Wrexham
• Japanese Garden restoration, Acton Park, Wrexham
• Ffordd Garmonydd Play Area, Acton

Sustainability Award: a recently completed or refurbished building or project which demonstrates environmental sustainability well in advance of statutory requirements
• Gwersyllt Community Lighting

Wooden Spoon
• Capel Salem demolition approval, Ponciau

The Civic Society’s annual awards evening is on Friday 23rd November at St. Margaret’s Hall – you can find out more about the society on their Facebook page here.