WREXHAM Glyndwr University has been granted permission to change the use of a residential property it has purchased to allow it to be used for academic purposes.

It will give students on courses in areas such as Forensic Science and healthcare, the chance to undertake practical work in a ‘real’ environment.

As part of its ‘Campus 2025’ project to develop its facilities, the university sold the land its former Plas Coch student accommodation was located on, which was purchased for development by Edwards Homes to build 90 new homes.

Construction of those properties is currently taking place and the university has purchased one of them with the intention to use it for the benefit of students and staff – but has stressed that there would be no impact on other residents living at the Oakley Grange development.

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A supporting statement that was submitted with the application on behalf of the University by planning consultants Cassidy + Ashton, said: “The proposed educational use of the site is to be in conjunction with the current operation of the university and will take the form of ‘lived environment’ teaching experiences led and supervised by academic staff.

“It is the intention that access to the application site will be gained from the university campus rather than through the residential development and as such interaction with the wider residential site will be minimal.

“The educational use of this property will not negatively impact on surrounding residential amenity, with its educational use taking shape of ‘lived environment’ situations. The academic use of the property will be firmly managed by the university to prevent any such impact upon surrounding amenity.

“Particular courses to make use of the ‘lived home environment’ for different and complementary activities include Forensic Science, together with health, care, education and public service programmes.”

The statement adds: “Notably, with regard to Forensic Science courses, the opportunity for Crime Scene Training using a real home environment would provide an authentic and realistic experience.

“This facility would be used as a safe environment for the development of these complex practical skills including crime scene preservation, recording, documentation, photography or examination.”

The change of use for the property has been approved in a delegated decision made by Wrexham Council’s interim chief planning officer Ian Jones.