Wrexham Council approves application to allow all 5,500 seats to be used at new Kop stand

Last year, Wrexham Council granted planning permission for a new 5,500 seater Kop stand at the Racecourse stadium.

A condition was imposed limiting its capacity to 4,900 due to restrictions associated with phosphates at the time – and a subsequent refusal back in November created unhappiness with some fans – and ‘lessons‘ for the council.

However, the council explain, “Improvements to the Waste Water Treatment Works at Five Fords have since eased the phosphate situation within the city. As a result, an application was made in November on behalf of Wrexham Football Club for a ‘non-material’ amendment to the planning permission but this had to be rejected on technical grounds”.

“Following advice from the council’s Planning Service, a correct application to vary the restrictive condition of the original planning permission was submitted”.

After statutory consultation with Welsh Water and Natural Resources Wales, approval has now been granted. This means the stand – when it is built – will now be able to accommodate up to 5,500 seated fans (the full capacity).

Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council said: “I’d like to thank everyone involved. We all know that football is a huge part of our identity in Wrexham, and the success of the club is benefitting the city in all kinds of ways – catapulting us onto the world stage.

“It’s important the correct planning procedures have been followed, and I’m delighted that the Kop will now be able to be used to its full capacity when it’s built.”

Councillor Hugh Jones, Lead Member for Planning, said: “I am pleased that with the support and advice of our officers a correct planning application has now been received.

“After consultation with the appropriate agencies, we’ve been able to approve the application, which is fantastic news for both the club and football fans.”