Plans to build new primary school on Nine Acre rejected by councillors
Controversial plans to build a new primary school on the Nine Acre field in Wrexham have been rejected this evening.
A majority of councillors voted to refuse the application at a meeting at the Guildhall this afternoon.
The plans were to relocate St Mary’s Catholic Primary School from its current site to Nine Acre in Acton
However the debate around whether the school should be built on the land came to a head over the weekend after the Lead Member for Education, councillor Phil Wynn, took the unprecedented decision to release 25 point list of reasons why he believes a school should be on the field.
This included the current St Mary’s site being unsuitable and Nine Acre never formally being a public open space.
Perhaps most controversially, point 24 stated: “Should the Nine Acre planning application be refused then the Education Department has no right of appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.
“This would result in the Department possibly identifying an alternative education use for Nine Acre or declaring it surplus to requirement.
“If we are expected to identify new sites for consideration for a WCBC Gypsy and Traveller site as part of possibly a LDP3 ( I appreciate the jury is out on that) Nine Acres could come into the mix as a potential site, with it having been declared surplus to Education’s needs.”
Speaking at this afternoon’s meeting Karen Evans, head of education at Wrexham Council, spoke in favour of the application.
She said that the current St Mary’s site has limitations and restrictions and that there is no green space or playing fields for the pupils.
Ms Evans argued that the proposal will “bring a benefit to the community” as a section of the land will be allocated as public open space for the community.
However three objections to the site being used were put forward on behalf of the community, including from Chris Lloyd, who represents the Nine Acre Campaign Group, spoke of the “disbelief” of Nine Acre being put forward for a school.
He referenced the “hundreds of objections” submitted to Wrexham Council since the plans were first unveiled.
Maesydre councillor Corin Jarvis, said: if we lose this piece of land today, however small and insignificant some people may believe it to be, we will never get this green space back.”
“We will never know what this land could have become, if it could have been used to connect us back to nature, if it could have become a loved space for families and communities, to come together and create wonderful memories.”
Cllr Jarvis also said Cllr Phil Wynn had been meddling in a survey, “Now, It has come to my attention, that after myself and Cllr Becca Martin shared a resident’s survey online in specific community groups for Acton & Maesydre, Cllr Phil Wynn shared this survey beyond the local ward community network on the 7th July.
“To give you a greater understanding of that effect, I have included comparative figures. 83% of local respondents who completed the survey agreed the development of the school would not benefit them directly, the wider community response was 70%. 72% of local respondents believe that it will not benefit our community as a whole, this reduced to 58% when shared further. And 74% of residents do not support this application, decreasing to 59% after being shared by Cllr Wynn”.
“As local ward councillors we have a duty to represent our ward and this survey was directed at residents within our ward. We are extremely disappointed in the actions of Cllr Wynn”
Adjoining councillor for the ward, Becca Martin raised concern about flooding on the Nine Acre site as one of the reasons why it is inappropriate for the development.
She said: “It is common knowledge that there are many areas that have suffered flooding, including around the Nine Acre site. An unintended consequence of building on the site could be an increased risk of flooding in the surrounding areas.”
Cllr Marc Jones described the vacant Groves site as the “elephant in the room”, asking why a primary school could not be built on a section of the Groves land.
He pointed out that “it has an established and dedicated access for buses and cars” and a “large part of the site is already hardstanding.”
However planning officer Matthew Phillips said the meeting was not to discuss alternative sites for the proposed school and that “the report sets out that the refusal of the application would not facilitate another use of the site or make it accessible.”
He also warned that there is “no plan b” and that should the application be refused, St Mary’s will remain at its current site for the foreseeable future.
Addressing concerns about the traffic survey being carried out during the pandemic, the highways officer added that she is “satisfied” that number of 120 additional car movements should the school be approved is in “the right order of magnitude.”
However each councillor on the committee who spoke about the plans raised serious concerns and objections to using the site for a school, with issues such as traffic, flooding and the loss of open space raised.
Cllr Dana Davies formally moved the recommendation to refuse the plans, listing a series of planning policies that the application goes against.
10 councillors voted in favour of refusing the application, five against – meaning a new primary school will not be built on Nine Acre.
Our live tweets from the meeting can be found below….
“We are not here as Wrexham County Borough Council” reminds Chair Mike Morris, noting how Planning is separate process. Cllr Morris says its not a straight yes/no technically despite read elsewhere… (but still in reality we have been told it won’t be appealed)
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Conduct and behaviour of some councillors is not material to tonights debate says Cllr Morris – not naming any councillors or which behaviour – and points people to the Legal Officer for any complaints. Running a tight ship it seems this afternoon.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Speaker against the application gives wide ranging speech ending, ” it’s time to show Wrexham means what it says about the wellbeing of current and future generations” noting it would “set a bad precedent” if approved.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Corin Jarvis notes the Committee has a ‘duty’ to the people of Wrexham, codified in the Constitution and points to 350+ objections, and a ‘movement’ that has been created off the proposal. Cllr Wynn also being accused of skewing a community targetted survey.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Becca Martin speaks against application, but not that a new location is needed. Says it is ‘simply untrue’ Nine Acre the ‘only’ location in Wrexham it could be placed. Gives range of technical planning reasons why she believes it should be rejected inc. increased flood risk
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Wynn *is* addressing the committee, says plans mean parking on residential streets will be ‘minimised’, a third of the Nine Acre field will be public open space ‘for the first time ever’ which has ‘always been classed as a school field’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Wynn makes an apology for “being too enthusiastic at times” no more details to what that refers to.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Marc Jones points to 100m of traffic jams on Prices Lane at times, says it is ‘inconceivable’ that Highways officers have not seen that, points to that being documented and asks whats changed. Notes parking surveys taken during the pandemic.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Marc Jones points to when Wrexham Football Club was using the Nine Acre a clause was inserted to insist players had to use a mini bus to travel there, such was concern over parking issues.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Marc Jones says 40% of the greenfield site will be tarmaced, contrasting that with claim it is ‘increasing public open space’ brands it “doublespeak” at its worst
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Marc Jones points to Cllr Wynn’s statement over weekend that said temp use of the field was recently allowed for youth sports – says its ‘really disappointing’ that use was denied until now ‘for the education department to prove a point’ said ‘unlock the gates now’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Officer says this is not a choice between a school or different use of the field, or other sites for the school. Cllrs told the choice tonight is keeping it as a fenced off field, or the ‘value’ of providing an improvement to education ie. build a school there.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Officer says refusal would mean a ‘continuation’ of the current use of field – assume that means closed off. Does that also rule out Cllr Wynn’s now famous alternative use scenarios ?
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Officer confirms a traffic survey was done in lockdown, but ‘increased’ to ‘demonstrate a normal set of circumstances’, and a school ‘will not give rise to highway safety concerns’.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Planning Officer says ‘on balance’ the school development and relocation would ‘deliver significant improvements’ for the school. Says the part of the site that would be opened up for public open space would ‘make a significant contribution to meeting the deficit in the ward’
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Bryan Apsley points to the recent City of Culture bid and a range of polices that reference public realm & spaces. Doesn’t believe councillors can support the application in those contexts.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Worth noting that having sat through days (if not weeks) of planning meetings, to hear such a range of specific *planning* reasons being listed by multiple councillors for refusal is not only unusual – but refreshing. Shows they can do it! Usually needs Chair guiding them…
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr I David Bithell gives a range of reasons why he won’t support the school plan. Says the site is also not future proofed and would not allow any expansion. “Let us use the Nine Acre site for the public to enjoy outdoor recreation”
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Frank Hemmings points to Sport Wales who says ‘we should protect all playing fields public and private’, adds even local schools are objecting to the proposals. Points to traffic measurements in lockdown is flawed based off his own experiences of highways during that time.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Graham Rogers refers to the Corporate Land and Buildings secret meeting. Cllrs might know what he means, but public dont. Moves to emissions points, and pupils who currently walk and will now need cars, contrasting that to decarbonisation strategy.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Morris reminds the committee that the field is not currently ‘public open space’. Officer also oddly notes it is a ‘controversial matter’ and says there will be a ‘legal requirement’ to have clear reasons why it could be refused – usually comes at the end.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Stella Matthews say there will be ‘huge traffic issues’, asking if trees on the field will need to be cut down due to the development. Speaks very much wanting, and echoing other cllr comments, who have stated desire for it to be a public open space.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Andy Williams says he saw two lads with a ball using the Nine Acre tonight just before the meeting. Re-asks points that Officers have not answered, on historic highways issues, and why Wrexham footballers had to use a minibus if no parking issues.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Andy Williams refers to personal experience as a first responder to incidents on roads by the site, points out speed limits does not mean everyone travels at that limit or below. Supports St Mary’s needing new facility, but not at the Nine Acre.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Dana Davies is ‘furious’ about Cllr Wynn’s interventions over the weekend, says has put committee in ‘invidious position’. Appears that is being taken up elsewhere outside this meeting.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Dana Davies points out reports calls the Nine Acre a ‘playing field’, and a notes that those reports say development would be ‘unacceptable’. Notes cutting down trees is in contrast to a climate emergency.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Dana Davies formally proposes refusal on a large range of planning reasons – let alone anymore that others tag on.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Officer says loss of trees is not valid reason to refuse, and the trees there are not significant. Reiterates field is ‘non accessible’ space – despite Cllr Williams saying it was being accessed by a couple of lads for a game of footy – right now 😂
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Officer says councillors need to be mindful that St Mary’s will stay on current site if it is refused. There is no ‘Plan B’ apparently. (Bizarre bits to this meeting – is that a planning matter?!)
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Cllr Stella Matthews angrily comes back highlighting this, “We had to stick to planning issues. The officer has continually gone on about St Mary’s site as it is now. The existing St Mary’s site is equally irrelevant as the Groves”. Chair Morris agrees… https://t.co/IhUeEycHWI
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
Committee now working up a range of technical planning reasons for refusal. Process then would be a vote on them. Chair reminds them, “We won’t be tested on appeal” but says they have to give “sensible reasons”.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
The speeches have overwhelmingly been to reject the application – but not all councillors have spoken.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
The speeches have overwhelmingly been to reject the application – but not all councillors have spoken.
— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) July 25, 2022
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