Wrexham forced to apologise after council blast club for building new training ground without planning permission

WREXHAM were told to “get their act together” by a local councillor after going ahead with their new training ground without full planning permission. The Welsh side opened their new Colliers Park HQ despite having not yet obtained the green light from North Wales Council. Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ club have been criticised by a local councillor Credit: Getty The high-profile duo have overseen huge change at the Welsh club Credit: Getty Club chiefs submitted an application for a new pavilion at the site last month, having already begun construction work. Wrexham issued a formal apology after being told that doing well on the pitch is “no excuse for not following the procedure procedure”. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Councillor Mike Morris, Gresford community council’s planning committee chair, said: “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. “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. “It’s no different to any other retrospective application. “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.” Local councillors will vote on the project after reports are completed on the matter. Wrexham’s chief strategy officer Aidan Miller offered a “sincere” apology, while vowing that the club had “sought to act responsibly”. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS Miller said: “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. “The club recognises that planning permission would ordinarily be secured before development commences, and we sincerely apologise to the committee and local residents. “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 designed a proposal to minimise impacts on neighbouring occupiers and the wider community. “The club has engaged fully and thoroughly with the planning process, including undertaking pre-application consultation, engaging with statutory consultees, and responding to matters raised in relation to parking, highways and phosphate mitigation.” On the pitch, Wrexham were beaten 6-0 by West Ham at London Stadium on Friday night. The result leaves Phil Parkinson’s side 16th in the Championship with one win from seven games. Wrexham were beaten 6-0 by West Ham on Friday night Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Comment now