Stadium plans get go ahead
AMBITIOUS plans to redevelop Wrexham FC's Racecourse ground have been given the go-ahead.
But Wrexham FC club directors launched a swift attack on Wrexham Supporters' Trust for attempting to "derail" the multi-million pound scheme immediately afterwards.
Wrexham Council's planning committee voted by a majority to follow officers' recommendations to grant phase one of the application, subject to a lengthy list of conditions.
Wrexham FC directors were clearly delighted, issuing a statement immediately after the decision which praised Wrexham Council but criticised the supporters' trust for attempting to scupper the plans.
Members of the club turned out in force at the meeting at Guildhall last night to hear the fate of the application, including Reds' manager Dean Saunders, who sat through about 40 minutes of councillors' discussions before leaving.
The committee heard from the supporters' trust's Spencer Harris, who said, after taking advice from a barrister, the organisation had been informed that a "unilateral undertaking" to protect the future of the club and community was "worthless".
Club owner and chairman Geoff Moss then spoke in favour of the application, claiming he had done all he could to save the club for the future.
A number of councillors expressed concern about the lack of specific details in the plans, but planning chief Laurence Isted said there would always be a degree of uncertainty with such applications.
The committee also voted to give consent to outline plans for phases two and three.
A statement issued afterwards by club director Paul Retout read: "We believe this development is the best way of getting the club out of debt and moving forward both off and on the pitch.
"We are disappointed at the reaction from the Wrexham Supporters' Trust in trying to derail the plans throughout, including at the planning meeting.
"For the avoidance of doubt, we state yet again the sale of shares is not on our agenda.
"Perhaps they now need to sit down and decide how they are going to spend the money raised by all the loyal fans, which was originally going to benefit the stadium, the team, and the youth academy, not solely equity building and private agendas.