Ryan Reynolds wins Wrexham AFC planning battle with locals over proposed multi-million-pound development branded 'brutal' by neighbours
Ryan Reynolds has won his Wrexham AFC planning battle with locals over plans for a 'brutal' multi-million-pound development.
The US-based owners Reynolds and Rob McElhenney wanted to build a new training facility for the club's young stars in the grounds of a high school.
But angry villagers slammed the plans as 'brutal' in scale and 'industrial' appearance and criticised the fact that work had already begun.
The chairman of the Planning Committee, Cllr Mike Morris, admonished Wrexham for repeatedly submitting retrospective planning applications, this being the third.
Locals said the project - which will have three full-size, 11-a-side pitches as well as two smaller pitches for younger age-group teams - brings 'no benefit to the community'.
Despite this council chiefs backed the club's plans for two buildings and two shipping containers built on green land.
The two actors want to create a base for the League One side's youth academy as part of a multi-million pound development at Darland High School in Rossett, Wrexham.
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have won their Wrexham AFC planning battle with locals over plans for a 'brutal' multi-million-pound development
They want to dig up green fields for new buildings for their Wrexham football team
The US-based owners want to build a new training facility for the club's young stars
One of the nine letters of objection submitted to Wrexham Council reads: 'The brutal commercial and industrial appearance is not in keeping with the proposed location within the green wedge.
'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.'
Wrexham's co-owners have often railed against UK planning bureaucracy in the past, with their frustrations aired on the hit documentary Welcome to Wrexham.
It followed delays to proposals to build a new 5,500-seater Kop stand at the Racecourse Ground.
In an interview with American entertainment website Collider in April, 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.'
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.'
Locals said the project - which will have three full-size, 11-a-side pitches as well as two smaller pitches for younger age-group teams - brings 'no benefit to the community'
Reynolds in fan mode in support of his Wrexham AFC team
But council chiefs approved the academy facilities to include changing rooms, offices, meeting rooms, a medical room and a gym.
The state-of-the-art sports pitches will elevate PE provision at the school for both Darland students but also local feeder primary schools too - with the latter to enjoy termly activities as part of the collaboration, further strengthening community connections.
Alison Edwards, whose son Oliver, is both a student at Darland High School and a member of the Wrexham AFC Academy said of the development: 'I just think that it is massive. My child has been with Wrexham now for four seasons and we just need a base - to have an identity.
'The kids are also looking forward to having an educational side added into their football. They're aware of it going on at other clubs, and they want the same opportunities.
'I just think that the project is such a positive thing. I can't see any negatives to it - it is happening on unused fields at the moment, and those fields will still be fields if this gets the go-ahead, they'll just have football goals on.'
She added: 'It will still be in a lovely countryside setting, there are no high-rises or horrific eyesores of a building going there. I only see it as a positive thing for the school and the kids in the academy.
'My child mentioned to me when he came home from school that they are already talking about seeing the players when they are going back into form or back into class. Realistically, they are seen in person as people who could be stars of the future for Wrexham. It's exciting for the kids.'
Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (left) and Ryan Reynolds pictured last year
Wrexham Council's chief planning officer, David Fitzsimon, said in a report to councillors: '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.'
Mr Fitzsimon said the new buildings would be located 'discreetly' behind the school and were relatively small compared to those surrounding them.
He added: 'Having regard to the above, the development does not harm the character of the existing school and leisure facilities or the wider surrounding landscape.
'The scale, size and siting of the buildings are considered appropriate and do not unacceptably impact on the living conditions of any nearby residents.'
Darland High School headteacher, Joanne Lee, said: 'We are delighted to work with the Wrexham AFC Academy to provide our students with exceptional opportunities.
'This partnership is not just about football; it's about inspiring our young people and building stronger ties with our community.'
A Wrexham AFC Club spokesperson added: 'The facility at Darland High School will help to impact lives within the surrounding areas annually for years to come.
'This will assist with the development of local talent from the surrounding areas being nurtured both on and off the pitch, allowing for them to become better members of the local community, as well as better footballers.'
