Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham in bitter row with locals over plans to build multi-million pound training centre
WREXHAM owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are in a row with locals over plans to build a new training facility for their young players.
The Hollywood pair have enjoyed back-to-back promotions with the Welsh club since taking control in 2021.
They have taken Wrexham from the National League to League One – where they sit second after 17 games.
But while the ownership have been praised for their impact on the community, they are now facing opposition from locals.
According to Wales Online, Reynolds and McElhenney have plans to erect a multi-million pound development at Darland High School in the village of Rossett.
It would consist of two buildings and two shipping containers being constructed on green land – with facilities including changing rooms, offices, meeting rooms, a medical room and a gym.
But work began before a decision on the planning permission – a move which has infuriated members of the public.
SunSport has approached Wrexham for comment.
A decision will be made at a council planning committee meeting on December 2 – with locals having opposed the plans due to concerns over noise, traffic, light pollution and the presence of great crested newts.
A summary of the nine letters of objection, which were all submitted to Wrexham Council, read: “The brutal commercial and industrial appearance is not in keeping with the proposed location within the green wedge.
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“The development goes against planning policy advice in regards to the green wedge.
“The school will lose the use of some athletic practice areas as a result of the proposal.
“The development is retrospective and the council should have made them stop work until the application was determined. The development brings no benefit to the Rossett community.”
Reynolds and McElhenney previously vented their frustration at planning issues in their Welcome to Wrexham documentary.
Reynolds said: “I think the thick buttress of bureaucracy is the biggest problem.
“In Wales, it really is a lot of red tape, and it’s just sort of figuring out ways to tick all those boxes and make sure that every single bureaucrat is happy.”
While McElhenney added: “It is definitely a comedic point of consternation in the show how often we’re running up against bureaucracy.
“It’s a lot harder to build in the UK than, I found, almost anywhere else in the world.”
One of Wrexham’s construction projects includes building a new 5,500-seater stand at the Racecourse Ground.
But the club see the proposed training ground as an opportunity to develop their young talent.
And a planning statement from agents acting on Wrexham’s behalf read: “The training facility will be used by the Wrexham AFC academy teams, from ages nine to 18.
“The proposed academy buildings will enable the development and education of young athletes both on and off the pitch.”
It looks as though the plans are going to move forward despite issues raised by the locals.
Wrexham Council’s chief planning officer, David Fitzsimon, said: “The provision of new facilities will improve the overall sporting offer at the site.
“Planning policy directs that there is a presumption against inappropriate development within green wedges and the construction of new buildings are generally considered inappropriate development.
“However, the development is an essential facility for outdoor sport and recreation and as such meets the exemption criteria.”