Campaigners urge Wrexham Council to consider relocating proposed new primary school development to Groves site

Campaigners fighting to save a field in Wrexham from development have urged the local authority to consider locating a new primary school elsewhere.

The Nine Acre Field on Chester Road is currently used as a training ground for Wrexham AFC.

Plans were announced last year which could see the National League club switch to new purpose-built facility next to the former Groves School.

As part of the move, Wrexham Council is proposing to build a new school for 360 pupils at the Nine Acre, with St Mary’s Catholic Primary School expected to relocate there.

Residents of Maesydre have voiced their opposition to the scheme and want the land to be turned into a park, claiming there is a shortage of green space in the area.

Members of the Nine Acre Campaign Group have now written to councillors asking them to think about putting the school on the Groves site instead.

In the letter, group representative Marcus Jones said the land would be a more suitable choice due to “the strength of feeling” around the loss of the field.

A public meeting meeting held earlier this year. Source: Nine Acre Campaign Group

He said: “The climate crisis and Covid-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of green space to the health and well-being of urban communities everywhere, and Wrexham is no exception.

“Our own survey found the overwhelming majority of respondents were in favour of Nine Acre Field being turned into a community park once Wrexham AFC move to new training facilities.

“There is another option, but one that the council seems to be proactively ruling out. In June 2018, the council received the feasibility report it commissioned into the possibility of siting a new 420 place junior school on the former Groves School playing field.

“TACP Architects (who produced the report) showed that this was entirely feasible.”

He added: “As planning permission to build on Nine Acre Field is not guaranteed, we question the councils’ motives in disposing of the Groves field to Wrexham AFC at a peppercorn rent.

“Until any decision is reached at the planning stage (and any subsequent appeals process), then removing the Groves field as a possible back-up plan seems illogical to say the least.”

Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) signed heads of terms with the council on a proposed 99-year lease of the Groves site in August.

Proposals for the Nine Acre site. Picture: Lawray Architects

However, with the trust currently in the process of selling the football club to Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, it recently revealed the plans had temporarily been put on hold.

In an information pack presented to WST members before they overwhelmingly voted to back the sale, it said: “Due to the high workload associated with operating the club in the Covid-19 pandemic and the discussions leading to the SGM associated with a potential transfer of ownership, the Groves next steps activities have been parked.

“The Groves has not featured as a discussion point within the talks with the representatives of Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.

“We would pick up these discussions should members vote for a transfer of ownership.”

There is currently a covenant in place on the Groves school field, which prevents “any construction other than a sports pavilion”.

But with the council already offering to pay to help the football club challenge the restriction, Mr Jones said putting the new primary
school there wouldn’t be difficult.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter