As the phosphates controversy continues, the new Kop stand at the Racecourse appears to have a restricted capacity.
The well-documented phosphates issue has had an impact on the creation of a new stand, but it has not derailed it, unlike previous proposals in the vicinity.
Phosphates are naturally occurring minerals that can enter rivers through land management techniques, sewage, and contaminated water, causing substantial environmental damage.
Phosphorus breaches are frequent across Welsh Special Areas of Conservation, including the River Dee, according to evidence supplied by NRW, where target levels have not been met.
Because of the strict new criteria, both Wrexham and Flintshire Council have encountered delays in getting their local development plans approved.
Natural Resources Wales (NRW), the environmental regulator, has implemented phosphate control laws to preserve watercourses in Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) across the country.
According to the Welsh Government, phosphate pollution is a “severe concern” to public health and must be addressed.
On the night of the planning meeting the committee gave the development the green light – with the phosphates issue left outstanding on the evening, and it agreed that the redevelopment proceed with a delegated “satisfactory resolution of the outstanding matters referred to the in the report in consultation with Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales”.
The basic argument was the existing Kop could have theoretically be refurbished without planning permission being required – and therefore have 5,000-odd people using it on match days, without having to change the existing arrangements on phosphates.
Today the club have given more clarity on how that is progressing with a statement confirming the early speculation, that a restriction will be in place:
“The planning committee at Wrexham County Borough Council approved the Club’s proposal to redevelop the Kop on November 7, 2022.
The formal permission was received on January 12, 2023, following the successful resolution of the delegated matters and agreement over the conditions.
The planning permission that is now on the public record, includes a condition to the effect that the 5,500-capacity Kop can only be used by 4,900 spectators until such time as the phosphates impact can be accurately quantified and an appropriate mitigation identified.
Accepting this condition now, allows the Kop works to progress and remain on schedule to be completed prior to the commencement of the 2024/25 season.
The Club’s advisors now have 12 months to secure the removal of this condition and there are no significant concerns around achieving this.”
