Uni’s £60m revamp sparks controversy
PLANS for an ambitious £60m university revamp have been submitted – including controversial proposals to sell land for housing to fund the scheme.
Wrexham’s Glyndwr University wants to become “the learning gateway into Wrexham” through its Campus 2025 project.
Six planning applications were put in this week to transform the university. They include demolishing old student halls and buildings at the main Mold Road site and building 410 new apartments, redeveloping the academic campus, building a new engineering block and extending the sports hall. University chiefs also want to demolish old buildings at the art school on Regent Street, refurbish the site and build a new 107-bed student accommodation facility.
But to help fund the scheme, Glyndwr has submitted plans to build houses on two parcels of land which will be sold off, both of which have sparked fierce opposition.
One is for 74 houses at playing fields at Dean Road, Rhosnesni, and the other is at a field at Gatewen, New Broughton. Opponents fear this will lead to loss of green space, increased traffic problems and more pressure on schools and doctors.
Trina Hughes is a member of the Save Our Field campaign group in New Broughton and lives opposite the site.
She said: “We have knocked on every single door in New Broughton and Caego and absolutely no-one wants this to go ahead.
“The traffic is horrendous going through New Broughton now and it’s going to get even worse. The school is over-full and the doctor’s surgery you can’t get in for love nor money, you can’t even get to the Maelor Hospital in the morning.”
Wrexham Glyndwr University Vice-Chancellor Professor Maria Hinfelaar said: “The submission of these planning applications is an important part of our Campus 2025 project.
“The applications are all linked through the pressing economic, social and environmental case for us to improve our overall estate, and are in alignment with the overall vision to transform Wrexham.”
Ms Hinfelaar said the plans had been “broadly welcomed” and would benefit students and raise Wrexham’s profile.
“The main campus at Plas Coch is on a gateway into the town, and our Regent Street campus is a heritage building which houses many of our creative arts courses,” she said.