Wrexham police station plans for art gallery on hold

The Oriel Wrecsam building has been earmarked to become the new police station

Plans to convert an art gallery into a new home for Wrexham's town centre police station are on hold due to issues over disabled parking.

North Wales Police wants to change the use of the former Oriel Wrecsam building at the town's library and its plans were recommended for approval.

Its town centre tower block offices are to be demolished, with plans to move to a new base in Llay.

The council-run gallery has already been temporarily relocated in the town.

The proposal also includes a small extension to the front of the former gallery building and the use of the existing library car park as a police staff car park.

A decision on the plans by Wrexham council was deferred in December to give the force time to consider alternative locations for eight disabled parking spaces that would be lost as a result.

Now it has been deferred again for another month.

North Wales Police Wrexham HQ is due to be moved from this tower block

Planners had said an "acceptable compromise" had been reached with the potential to provide about six spaces closer to a Shopmobility service on Egerton Street.

They recommended permission be granted with conditions by the planning committee, but on Monday, it decided to defer.

If the plans are approved in February, the gallery would eventually move to a new arts and culture hub planned for the town.

A study is to be held to consider the design for the new cultural centre.