AN appeal against the refusal of plans to convert an old police station in Wrexham into a nursery has been thrown out amid concerns over road safety.

Gresford Police Station was closed in July 2020 as it was being used less frequently by officers and costing North Wales Police £12,000 a year to maintain.

The property on Chester Road was later put on the market for almost £230,000 to generate funds to invest in other buildings owned by the region’s police force.

The site’s new owner Rachel Lloyd later submitted proposals to Wrexham Council to transform it into a day nursery.

However, the application was rejected by planning officers because of fears it would generate extra traffic, posing a danger to road users.

Ms Lloyd launched an appeal in August last year in a bid to overturn the decision, but it has now been upheld by a planning inspector.

In her report, Nia Jones said:

“The council is concerned that additional traffic generated by the proposal could mean that parking could occur on Chester Road or on or near the junction with Annefield Park opposite, risking highway safety.

“On the available evidence and having regard to the large number of children that would be cared for and associated staffing requirements, I find that it has not been demonstrated that the proposal would make adequate provision for parking.

“The proposal would therefore result in a risk of conflicts and congestion within the site itself as well as overspill parking in the vicinity.

“Indiscriminate parking on the cycle lanes would risk danger to their users and parking on the carriageway on Chester Road, as well as on or near the junction with Annefield Park, would risk obstruction to the free flow of traffic on Chester Road.”

In an appeal statement, an agent acting on behalf of Ms Lloyd said the proposals would lead to improvements to the main access point to the site.

They also claimed the increase in traffic would be “nominal” and would not cause danger to road users.

However, the inspector added:

“I have taken into account the appellant’s suggested methods of controlling and reducing the length of stays.

“Their use however would be difficult to regulate or enforce. For the reasons given, the appeal is dismissed.”