Wrexham Urged to Follow Planning Procedures for New Training Ground
Wrexham have been told in no uncertain terms to “get their act in order” after pushing ahead with work on their new training ground before securing full planning approval.
The rebuke came from councillor Mike Morris, chair of Gresford community council’s planning committee, who made it clear during a recent meeting that the club’s rise in profile does not place it above local rules.
Councillor’s blunt message
The flashpoint is a retrospective planning application for a new pavilion at the training site. The paperwork only went in last month. By then, construction was already under way.
Morris did not hide his frustration.
“I do wish that people would get their act in order and not put in retrospective applications just because it suits you – which, at the end of the day, is what it came down to,” he said. “You wanted to do it in the summer, and you know the fact you've had good results, and you know the football club is doing very well, we all applaud that, but it's no excuse for not following the procedure properly.”
The message was simple: success on the pitch does not buy shortcuts off it.
Morris stressed that Wrexham’s global profile under their Hollywood ownership would not influence how the application is handled.
“It's no different to any other retrospective application,” he added. “So it will be a matter for members to consider whether they are going to support it or not, and that will come out in the debate.”
Club issues formal apology
Faced with that criticism, Wrexham moved quickly to apologise.
Chief strategy officer Aidan Miller delivered a formal, public apology to both the committee and local residents, acknowledging that the club had not followed the ideal legal sequence.
He explained that Wrexham had pushed to complete the pavilion work in the summer off-season, when activity at the site is at its lowest, to try to limit disruption.
“The club sought to undertake the works during the summer off-season period, when activity at the site is significantly reduced, allowing construction activity and associated impacts to be managed effectively and within the site footprint,” Miller said.
“The club recognises that planning permission would ordinarily be secured before development commences, and we sincerely apologise to the committee and local residents.”
Miller insisted, though, that the club had tried to behave responsibly in how it designed and located the project.
“Notwithstanding this, throughout the development of the project, the club has sought to act responsibly by selecting an established sporting location, making use of existing infrastructure, and designing a proposal to minimise impacts on neighbouring occupiers and the wider community.”
According to Miller, Wrexham have “engaged fully and thoroughly with the planning process”, including pre-application consultation, work with statutory consultees and responses to issues raised around parking, highways and phosphate mitigation.
Off-field scrutiny, on-field struggles
The planning row lands at an awkward time.
While the club talks about long-term infrastructure and community impact, Phil Parkinson’s side have been hit hard on the pitch. A 6-0 hammering by West Ham United at the London Stadium has left Wrexham marooned in 16th place, with just one win from their opening seven games.
The owners’ ambition is visible in bricks, mortar and bold plans for the future. The question now is whether the team – and the club’s governance – can match that ambition under the sharper glare of both local councillors and a restless fanbase.
