Wrexham Apologise After Starting Training Ground Work Without Permission
Wrexham have apologised to local residents and councillors after construction began on a new training-ground pavilion before planning permission had been granted.
Key takeaways
- The club lodged a retrospective application for the pavilion last month, after work at the site was already under way.
- Gresford community council planning committee chair Mike Morris said Wrexham must follow the same rules as every other applicant.
- Chief strategy officer Aidan Miller said the club had wanted to complete work during the quieter summer period.
- Wrexham say they have addressed planning issues involving parking, highways and phosphate mitigation.
- Phil Parkinson’s team are 16th after taking one win from their opening seven league matches.
Councillor warns Wrexham over planning process
Morris delivered a sharp rebuke at a recent planning committee meeting, arguing that the club’s progress on the pitch and rising profile could not justify bypassing normal procedures.
He said retrospective applications should not be filed simply because they suit the applicant’s timetable. Morris acknowledged Wrexham’s strong recent record and said it was widely appreciated, but insisted that success did not excuse a failure to secure permission before development started.
The councillor added that the application would be assessed on its merits, with committee members to decide during their discussion whether they support the proposal. Wrexham’s international recognition, he said, would not bring any different treatment.
Club admits sequence was not right
Miller issued what he described as a sincere apology to both the committee and people living nearby. He said Wrexham targeted the off-season because activity around the sporting site is lower then, making it easier to control construction disruption within the existing footprint.
However, he accepted that permission would normally be in place before building work begins. Miller said the club had nevertheless tried to act responsibly by using an established sports location, relying on existing infrastructure and shaping the pavilion plans to reduce the effect on neighbours and the wider area.
Wrexham also said they had undertaken pre-application consultation, spoken with statutory consultees and responded to matters raised over parking, highways and environmental phosphate mitigation.
The planning issue arrives during a difficult spell for Parkinson’s side. Wrexham were beaten 6-0 by West Ham United at the London Stadium and sit 16th in the table, with just one victory from seven matches.
