PLANS to turn Wrexham AFC’s former training base into a National Football Development Centre have been likened to "bringing football" home to the town.

The Football Association of Wales proposes to expand Colliers Park in Gresford into a state-of-the-art complex which will complement the FAW's existing facility at Dragon Park in Newport.

The scheme will see the laying of two premium pitches as well as an upgraded 3G pitch with dugout and small stands. It is predicted to provide a major boost to developing elite football in North Wales.

At Wrexham Council's planning committee, Ponciau councillor Paul Pemberton recalled the heady days when the FAW was based in Wrexham before it decamped to Cardiff and the Racecourse Ground's status as the oldest international football venue.

"Colliers Park was bought by a cup run in the 1990s and the tragedy is that Wrexham had it taken off them by unscrupulous developers. The university has taken it over, but it has done no good to our club," said Cllr Pemberton.

"But I remember the FAW being in Fairy Road, that was its home for many years, so I welcome this.

"It is football coming home. Wrexham was the home of Welsh football.

"This will be a boon for the area because of the excellent facilities."

Colliers Park was opened in June 1997 at a cost of £750,000, but was sold by the cash-strapped club, along with the Racecourse, to Glyndwr University in 2011. Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST) has since signed a 99-year-lease to take back control of the Racecourse, but Colliers Park remains in the ownership of the university, who will establish an education facility at the new FAW centre.

The focus of attention will be a major extension to the existing clubhouse building to house administration and provide accommodation for the FAW, while 55 parking spaces have also been schemed in.

Planning control manager David Williams said there would be a restriction limiting the number of people at the site to 200 at any one time.

"I don't envisage there will be an overspill of spectators on Chester Road as there won't be major matches played there," he said.

Cllr Andrew Atkinson (Gresford East/West) revealed there had been some concerns raised about traffic visiting the site, but stressed: "It is a really exciting development for football across Wrexham.

There were some concerns put to me and the community council, but the officers have addressed the points.

"I am pleased the floodlight restrictions will see them switched off at 8pm."

Councillors recommended a final decision on the centre was delegated to planning officers provided no objections emerged during the current consultation period.

Cllr Paul Roberts (Erdigg) added that since the development was a "flagship enterprise" the FAW should erect clear signage to the site, but his amendment failed to get support.