Campaigners turnout in force to oppose university’s decision to fence off Rhosnesni playing field

Almost 100 residents turned out on the weekend to stage a protest against Wrexham Glyndwr University’s decision to put metal fencing around a much loved community playing field.

The group, which included members of the community, councillors and other interested parties, gathered at Dean Road Field on Sunday afternoon to campaign for the pitch to remain accessible to the public.

Over the last 50 years the field has been used for formal sporting and other recreational activities, including the local youth football team.

However last week security fencing was erected around a section of the field last week after signage was place last month indicating permission for the public to use the land had been ‘withdrawn’.

The playing field has been subject to a recent planning application for up to 74 houses by Wrexham Glyndwr University, which intends to sell the site to help bankroll improvements worth £60 million to its main campus on Mold Road.

In July the planning application was rejected by councillors after strong objections by local councillors and members of the community.

There has been backlash at the university over its plans for the site, with local campaign groups established to try and save the field from being used for housing.

Glyndwr has also been accused of acting in spite by erecting the fencing, with claims that the move has prevented any access by the public and prevent school children from taking a short cut to school.

The protest took place to coincide with the official opening of the new Collier’s Park development in Gresford, which was held by the university and the Football Association of Wales.

Speaking after Sunday’s protest, Rhosnesni councillor, Mike Davies said “We are very disappointed and disgusted with the actions of Glyndwr University. The land was transferred to them free of charge with good intentions.

“They have never used the land for the intended educational purposes, and now wish to profit from this by building houses on land which has been used by the local community for 50 Years.

“Since the application was rejected, Glyndwr have spitefully denied all access and have built the expensive fence across the field.”

However the university have claimed that the fencing was erected due to vandalism to the signage and existing gates since permission for the public to use the fence was removed.

Speaking last week a spokesperson said: “Since we have withdrawn permission for public access to our land at Dean Road, our property has been subject to vandalism and where previously we have covered the costs of maintenance and security at this site, we are no longer in a position to justify the cost of this.

“We are fully aware that the local community have had access to this land for a number of years, however this is private land for which public access could have been revoked at any point, but instead we have always tried to work with the community to give free use of the land and it remains our intention to give a licence to Borras Park Albion to continue with the free use of a football pitch.”

After the statement about why the fencing had been erected, we contacted the university for further information on what damage had been caused at the field, if there were images and if the incidences had been reported to North Wales Police.

A spokesperson told us that the damage had not been reported due it being “private land” and that officials were “taking the necessary steps to secure the site and prevent recurrence of this vandalism.”

The university also sent the images below:

The controversial plans for 74 houses on the field were one of two refused unanimously by planning committee members at the start of July.

The university was also seeking permission to develop 112 houses on land in New Broughton.

Both applications had been submitted by Wrexham Glyndwr University to help with the £60 million Campus 2025 plans, with applications for the redevelopment of the Mold Road campus, new student accommodation and up to 410 residential apartments all approved by the committee during the meeting.

The pieces of land in Rhosnesni and New Broughton were described as “surplus to the university’s requirements” and “therefore in time will need to be sold.”

However representatives opposed to the two housing developments waited more than four hours to speak against the plans, with one arguing that the Dean Road proposals are  “unacceptable and that the field is “sorely needed to continue as a recreational open space.”

The application also received objections from Sports Wales over the loss of a playing field.

An appeal to try and overturn the council’s decision to refuse planning permission is expected to be lodged at a later date.