Town’s New Police Station Gets Planning Permission At Third Attempt

Plans to convert the former Oriel Wrecsam, Rhosddu Road into a town centre police station were tonight approved by councillors.

Tonight’s report was the third time that plans for the new town centre police station had been debated by members of the committee, with councillors deferring the report in December and January amid concerns over proposed changes to disabled parking.

In the amended application put before the Planning Committee, it was proposed that five new blue badge spaces were created on King Street, with a further eight new spaces added to the Chester street side of the library.

Deferring Wrexham town center's new police station for a 4th time sounding unlikely going by opening comments at the planning committee.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) February 1, 2016

Speaking at today’s meeting, Planning Officer David Williams noted that to refuse or defer the application would be ‘delaying the inevitable”, although the application (North Wales Police) had noted they wished to defer.

Mr Williams said: “I appreciate this is sensitive issue and we’ve discussed it at length on two separate occasions. With regards to pure planning terms in black and white, we’re being presented with a net increase in the number of parking spaces whereas previously the initial proposal involved a like for like replacement in terms of numbers.

“There is still an additional eight blue badge spaces provided on Chester Street side of library car park and in addition to that there will also additional five provided behind the Trinity Church on King Street which are virtually opposite the shop mobility function. The overall benefit is quite significant in terms of shop mobility issues alone.”

Mr Williams added: “One of the reasons it was deferred previously was to go back and explore alternatives with the applicants and get a statement from the police in terms of their operational requirements. There has been some discussion if there was a need for the whole of the car park to be utilised.”

“It does amount to all the car park being required. They’ve highlighted difficulties they’ve had elsewhere, like in Rhos where they haven’t been able to accomodate their own vehicles. Security is key priority and are following advice of national police chiefs security of vehicles.”

Cllr Jenkins suggests deferring again, referring to 'detailed issues' submitted from AVOW, it appears no public speaker from AVOW allowed.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) February 1, 2016

However a request for the committee to defer the recommendation was made by Cllr Alun Jenkins, who said: “The addendum is circulated earlier in the day and the message quite clearly from was that applicants had requested for application to be deferred for further work to be undertaken in support of their application.

“This is a very sensitive issue and a major concern to the disabled community because it is unfortunate that they weren’t considered when the application came to us three months ago. My way of thinking the intention had always been to keep the eight spaces at the front of Rhosddu Road and they had the rest of the car park in conjunction with the police activity.

“You are now suggesting changes to conditions. None of it is down on paper. I suggest the best thing is to go along with what is here and defer the application.”

Mr Williams said: “I understand the frustration with way in which the application has been submitted. We as a planning authority have to deal with the application as its been presented. We have tried to be as cooperative as we can in trying to find the right solution. I do think this is one where we have explored every option. Ultimately we need to make a decision, what would be the reason of refusal?

“If we take it to appeal, we wouldn’t have any case to defend.”

Cllr I David Bithell suggests a site meeting, probably about 25m away from where they are sat. Says town centre station could be elsewhere.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) February 1, 2016

A site visit to the car park was put forward by Cllr I David Bithell, who said: “I would like to propose a site meeting. I am unhappy we are losing eight spaces outside library car park for blue badge holders.”

However issues with the proposed location were challenged by Cllr Mike Edwards, who said: “It is time to consider this properly, we have looked at whether the parking is necessary for the police who have made it clear they need those spaces and not withdrawing those from the plan. Are we looking at an objection to the building? No such objection has been mentioned previously and none mentioned about access. The only ones have been on grounds of loss of eight disabled spaces

“Instead of those eight we are now saying there will be five closer to the centre of the town and to shop mobility, plus another eight on the Chester Street side. It is 13 spaces instead of eight. Five of those are significantly closer to town and advantage for the disabled.”

Cllr Mike Edwards gives meeting some first hand observations of the car park use as he often waits for bus nearby so has kept eye out

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) February 1, 2016

Cllr Edwards added: “We should grant it because there are no issues with building or access. We should grant it as we are replacing eight spaces with five closer to the centre of the town and shop mobility, with another eight on the Chester Street side. I cannot see how this is not beneficial to other blue badge holders. I think its time now as there is no chance of the police saying something different, that they are not prepared to reconsider the use of the disabled car park.”

VOTE on new town centre police station! Site visit: Defeated. Overall planning: GRANTED. Part of library to become a new police station.

— Wrexham.com (@wrexham) February 1, 2016

14 councillors voted in favour of approving the amended report, with two councillors abstaining from the vote.