Former Gardeners’ World presenter among supporters of plans to retain Wrexham field for community use

A former Gardeners’ World presenter is among the many people who have shown their support for preserving a green space for public use.

It comes as opposition mounts against plans to build a new school for a total of 360 children on the Nine Acre field in Wrexham.

More than three quarters of respondents to a recent survey by campaigners aiming to find alternative uses for the site backed turning it into a park, sports pitches or a combination of the two.

They include Stephen Lacey, a local resident, who was a regular presenter on the BBC show for around a decade.

The gardening writer is a prominent member of the Nine Acre Campaign Group, which was set up in opposition to Wrexham Council’s proposals to build on the field.

He has argued that the loss of green space in a residential area would harm the environment.

Mr Lacey said: “Green space is vital for our physical and mental well-being. No-one can live happily and healthily in a grey urban environment.

“We all need nature, grass and trees on our doorstep. Beautiful parks and playing fields should be a part of every neighbourhood, and our open spaces should be of good size and good quality.

“Neighbourhood parks are of huge value to a community. They are a forum for social contact and friendship, as well as for sport and play.

“And they are an urban oasis, allowing us to engage with the natural world, promoting biodiversity, countering pollution, and giving us beauty and tranquillity in our busy lives.”

The site on Chester Road has been fenced off from the community for a number of years after the council previously scrapped plans to sell of part of it off for housing.

It is currently being used as a training ground by Wrexham AFC, which is planning to move onto land next to the former Groves School.

Under the authority’s latest proposals, St Mary’s Catholic Primary School would relocate to the Nine Acre from its base on Lea Road in the town centre.

A poll recently held by the campaign group into alternative uses attracted 126 responses, with 96 people supporting one of three options to preserve the field as either a park, sports pitches or both.

The mental health and wellbeing benefits of having a public green space were cited as the main driver by respondents.

Referring to lockdown measures imposed during the coronavirus crisis, one person said: “After the experience of the last six months, I think it is essential that there are as many open spaces as possible for people to exercise or just simply get out of their homes and get fresh air in their lungs.”

Wrexham Council has yet to respond to the survey results, however it previously said the development would help to meet the demand for school places locally.

Draft proposals revealed by the authority as part of a consultation held between July and August show part of the land would be reopened to the public as a woodland walk.

As well as the school buildings, plans for a bus bay, drop off areas, car park, playground, sports pitches and forest school area have also been outlined.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter