A MULTI-MILLION pound development could cement Wrexham’s place at the forefront of the region’s business sector.
Plans for Wrexham’s first business park, which will be situated on a plot of land between the Maelor Hospital and the A483, are finally getting off the ground as council officers appeal for permission to enforce a compulsory purchase order in the area.
This would allow the authority to buy the land with the long term aim of creating the Western Gateway, a new hub for office and scientific research and extension to Wrexham Technology Park, as well as creating another major in-road to the town centre.
Steve Bayley, Wrexham Council’s head of assets and economic development, revealed he had high hopes for the project, which he described as a “sustained and forward-thinking development”, and its importance for North East Wales.
He said: “We’ve got a masterplan which is backed by the Welsh Government and we want to bring high quality and high value jobs to Wrexham and the wider region.
“The site would act as an alternative Wrexham Industrial Estate and would hopefully attract more research-led businesses as opposed to manufacturing and industry.
“A quarter of all jobs in Wrexham are manufacturing, compared to just 12 per cent in the rest of Wales and eight per cent in the UK and while that’s hugely important it’s often dependent on foreign investment.
“We want to look to the future and attract the creative industries, new technologies and scientific research working closely with Glyndwr University to keep our homegrown knowledge in Wrexham.”
However he did admit there is a long way to go before the authority’s ideas come to fruition.
“The economy’s not brilliant at the moment so we’re going to have to double our efforts to win interest from businesses.
“But we want to get on with things now so we’re ahead of the game when the economy picks up.”
Phase one of the plan, once the 500,000 square feet land which currently belongs to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Spire Yale Hospital is secured, will involve the realignment of Croesnewydd Road, removal of the bridge which has weight restrictions and put in a new four way signal controlled junction.
There will also be a new footpath in the Watery Road area to make it a more pedestrian-friendly area.
It is hoped the changes will improve access to the hospitals and ease congestion on Ruthin Road, and ultimately the Plas Coch roundabout.
It is also hoped work on phase one will begin in April or May 2012 to be completed by September or October that year.
Mr Bayley added: “It’s impossible to say how many jobs will be created but this will be a very important part of our infrastructure and a long-term boost for employment opportunities.”