Local people want to save their playing fields

Local people packed a meeting on Tuesday and claimed the new building would lead to the loss of playing fields in the village.

Wrexham Council wants to spend �4.2m building a new English language primary school on Ponciau Banks fields.

It would replace the village's three existing English language schools.

A new Welsh language school would also be opened in one of the existing buildings.

However, at Tuesday's meeting in Rhos a unanimous vote was recorded against the plans to build what locals have called a 'super school'.

Hundreds of residents packed the public meeting

Local councillor Aled Roberts has now promised that an emergency meeting will be held on Friday to look again at the proposals.

However, he has warned that other ideas had been explored and Ponciau Banks was the only possible option.

Local residents have welcomed the news. Gwyn Thomas, who lives in Ponciau, says villagers are united against the scheme.

"Not one single hand went up last night in favour of the scheme," he said.

"It's our village green and there's so much history about the place.

"It's a place where I see people congregating and enjoying themselves," he added.

Local people are concerned about losing their playing field but the council is proposing to offer alternative playing fields at Pant Brickworks in the nearby village of Penycae.

But residents have begun a petition against the plans and have enlisted the support of the National Playing Fields Association.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Wynford Thomas, chief strategic services officer at Wrexham Council, said he welcomed the views of the community.

"The current state of the schools is unacceptable and we have had to come up with solutions that are both affordable and achievable," he said.

"The proposals will also provide the community with high quality playing fields for local teams."

The council hopes to start work in the next financial year.