A FORMER resident of a children’s home dubbed “the Colditz of residential care” has called for it not to be demolished as its future comes up for review.

Councillors in Wrexham are set to consider whether to knock down the Bryn Estyn home, which was at the centre of a scandal over physical and sexual abuse carried out during the 1970s and 80s.

The Jillings report, which was published in 2013 after being suppressed for two decades, concluded there was “extensive” mistreatment of youngsters at the property, which closed in 1984.

The building later became known as the Erlas Centre and provided office space for workers at Wrexham Council.

A review carried out during 2011 found the property was surplus to requirements and the authority is now looking at the possibility of demolishing it in order to cut costs.

However, former resident Keith Gregory, who has previously spoken out about the abuse he suffered during his four-year stay at the home, wants to see it preserved.

The former Smithfield county councillor said: “We had bad things happen to us in that home, but to a lot of people it was still our home.

“It wasn’t the building that hurt us, it was the people who were employed there.

“Wrexham has lost a lot of its buildings and heritage and it’s a lovely building.

“I think it should be used as a pensioners’ home or something like that.

“I go down to the Victorian Gardens there quite often and for me, I think it helps to be honest.”

The building is currently the responsibility of the council’s education department.

Senior figures have highlighted the cost of maintaining and securing it as the main reason for demolition being considered.

The authority has not revealed any plans for the site’s future use, but it is close to land which has been earmarked for more than 1,500 houses in Wrexham’s Local Development Plan.

Phil Wynn (Ind), lead member for education, said: “The building is obviously a cost to the education department and I was keen to explore its demolition as soon as possible.

“We felt it was sensible to consult with Cadw just to see what their views were on the building.

“They’ve come back and said they have no interest in listing the building.

“On the basis that it’s money currently being spent by education to keep the building mothballed, I’m keen to see it demolished.

“Obviously the sooner it’s delivered the better as far as I’m concerned.”

The council said it had been in touch with officers overseeing the Operation Pallial investigation into historic child abuse in north Wales to keep former Bryn Estyn residents informed about the proposals.

The authority’s adult social care department is also working alongside members of the Erlas Victorian Walled Garden group, who currently lease part of the site to provide training opportunities to adults with learning disabilities.

Other organisations which use the land include First Choice Housing and the Armed Forces Rehabilitation Centre.

The proposals will be discussed by executive board members on Tuesday.