Stop demolition of Rhosddu vicarage

Plaid Cymru councillor Marc Jones has written to Wrexham Council's leader asking him to pause the demolition of the old Rhosddu vicarage.

Cllr Jones, who represents the Grosvenor ward, said this was a last attempt to persuade the council to rethink the decision and said he had the backing of Rhosddu Community Council in this attempt to re-purpose the building for community use.

A protest outside the old vicarage, at 67 Rhosddu Road next to the Spar, will take place at 6pm this Wednesday (19 May).

The text of the letter is as follows:

Dear Mark

I'm writing to you regarding the imminent demolition of the old Vicarage on Rhosddu Road.

I'm asking you, as leader of the council and lead member for assets, and the Executive Board - who made the decision to demolish - to pause the destruction of this important piece of our local heritage.

Rhosddu Community Council has expressed its concern that the decision has been made without consulting it, local residents and against the wishes of the local councillor. I fully support proposals to redevelop the wider Greenacres site for social housing to meet the need among both young people, families and retirees for affordable housing in our community. The old Vicarage can be re-purposed to complement that plan.

In light of changing circumstances as we emerge from the pandemic, I am requesting that the Executive Board pauses the demolition for six months to enable a meaningful community consultation about the future of the building and whether it can be repurposed for community use that would enhance the local community’s health and well-being - e.g. a community café with upstairs space for homeworkers or new micro-businesses. Rhosddu does not currently have a public meeting space for residents.

The planned demolition will cost £50,000. It has stood empty for 20 years so I fail to see what harm a further six months would do. Demolition without considering every other option would be an act of civic vandalism. 

Please reconsider.

If you can't make the protest - please sign this petition opposing the demolition.