Wrexham AFC secures Kop approval

Club owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds can now push forward with plans to add 5,500 seats to the Racecourse Ground.

Wrexham Council gave unanimous support for the application, which will see the replacement of a decommissioned stand by Crispin Lane. That stand was last used in 2010 and would be demolished under the approved plans.

The new Kop will be nearly 20 metres taller than its predecessor and offer more seats than before.

Designed by AFL Architects, the new stand includes 5,000 general admission seats and a 500-seat hospitality space. The Kop’s ground floor would also be suitable as a 600-capacity event and exhibition space on nonmatch days.

The planning application, submitted for Wrexham AFC by Savills, includes the relocation of the club shop and new public realm. The upper floor of the Kop would h old a community space as well as offices.

AFL’s designs include metal cladding to adorn the Kop. This cladding is meant to evoke ideas of coal and thus honour the town’s industrial heritage.

Wrexham Council was unanimous in its approval of the stand. Credit: via planning documents

The return of the Racecourse to a four-sided stadium was a priority for owners McElheney and Reynolds.

“Not only will this increase the capacity and accessibility for our loyal fans but it is also the biggest step towards ensuring the stadium meets the criteria of UEFA’s Category 4 status, which will allow Men’s international football to return to North Wales, with the support of the FA of Wales,” the Hollywood actors said in an introduction to the plans’ design and access statement.

It was a sentiment that Wrexham AFC board advisor Shaun Harvey echoed in his opening remarks at the planning committee meeting on Monday.

“The replacement of 5,500 of the previous Kop’s capacity is desperately needed with crowds at the Racecourse Ground now regularly sold out to home fans,” Harvey said. “Not only that, increasing the capacity and improving the facilities at the stadium will see North Wales capable of hosting international football once again.”

While councillors were supportive of the football club’s growth, they did consider the detrimental impacts the stand would have on parking for nearby residents. Several councillors noted that on match days parking is already a problem and the addition of 5,500 more fans would only make that situation worse.

Cllr Marc Jones encouraged McElhenney and Reynolds to commit to supporting a residential parking scheme for match days, saying that the cost for the club owners would be negligible.

But despite these parking concerns, the decision was unanimous to approve the stand.

In voicing his support, Cllr Jones said: “Every 7-year-old needs a chance to see their club and their country play and experience that magical moment”.

In addition to Savills and AFL, the project team for the Kop redevelopment includes Ramboll, Gardiner & Theobald, and Royal Pilgrim Communications. The scheme’s application reference number on Wrexham’s planning portal is 2022/0725.

The redevelopment of the Kop is part of the wider £100m Wrexham Gateway scheme, which seeks to enhance the area around Mold Road and Wrexham General railway station. The project includes the creation of a multi-model transport hub, additional student accommodation, a hotel, a conference and exhibition facility, and more homes.

Wrexham Gateway is one of many bids for the second round of Levelling Up Fund awards, which are set to be announced later this year.