Plans to put new primary school on field in Wrexham would have ‘significant adverse impacts’, says campaign group

Plans to put a new primary school on a field in Wrexham would have “significant adverse impacts” on the surrounding community, campaigners have claimed.

A consultation by Wrexham Council on proposals to create a school for a total of 360 children on the Nine Acre field on Chester Road came to a close earlier this week.

It comes as St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, which is currently based on Lea Road in the town centre, is expected to relocate to the site.

The scheme has attracted opposition from residents living nearby, including members of the Nine Acre Campaign Group, who have now set out their formal objections.

Their main concern is the loss of green space, which is currently used as a training facility by Wrexham AFC.

However, the club recently signed heads of terms with the local authority to move onto land next to the former Groves School.

A report by town planners acting on the campaign group’s behalf states there is already a shortfall of open space in the Maesydre area and calls on the council to support alternative proposals for a park and playing field instead.

In the document, representatives from PWA Planning said: “Nine Acre Playing Field provides an important area of open space within the built-up area to the north of Wrexham town centre.

“The site currently provides important functional value by providing a location for Wrexham Football Club’s training ground.

“We recognise that Wrexham AFC are relocating to an alternative site, but this does not mean that the open space will no longer have a significant functional or amenity value.

“As we have set out above, the area of open space provides a range of benefits in terms of its visual importance and amenity value.”

They added: “In addition, the Nine Acre Community Group have developed plans to ensure the continued use of the Nine Acre Field site to provide a playing field, play area, woodland and pond available for public use.

“Accordingly, there is a significant opportunity for the improvement of the site and for its greater enjoyment by opening the space up to public use.

“In summary, the delivery of the proposal for a school on the Nine Acre Playing Field would have a significant adverse impacts through the loss of the benefits that this area of open space currently provides by way of its visual amenity.”

The council previously said the development would help to meet the demand for school places locally.

It follows a failed attempt to sell off part of the field for housing in 2004, which was scrapped in the wake of public opposition.

Draft proposals revealed by the authority 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.

Wrexham Council has been asked to comment on the campaigners’ objections.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter