A PRIVATE members club has been given permission to make changes to a Grade II listed building in Ruabon.

The Ruabon Constitutional Sports and Social Club had sought approval from Wrexham Council to make alterations to the former cottage on Park Street in the village, which would create a new bar and dining area in the building.

The cottage, one of a block of four on Park Street thought to date back to the 1840’s, had once been part of the Wynnstay Estate and was being used by the club as a storage area by the Cons Club prior to this change of use application.

The Leader: Ruabon Cons ClubRuabon Cons Club (Image: Planning documents)

In a design and access statement submitted with the plans on behalf of the applicants in the summer, it was stated that there would be no alterations to the exterior.

It said: “The proposed work will allow the existing building to continue to be used and appreciated by the local community.

“The existing rooms will retain their existing proportions and the new use will ensure the future of the historic structure.

“The structure has been fully assessed and different options explored to minimise the impact of the proposals.

The Leader: Ruabon Cons' ClubRuabon Cons' Club (Image: Planning documents)

“Due to the building currently used purely as storage, the benefit of its conversion outweighs any perceived harm, due to it being used by the wider community.”

The statement added: “The existing access points into and from the building are retained and unaffected by the proposals and will also need to be retained due to the Grade II listing.

“The proposals will ensure that the existing access will be no worse than existing and improved where possible. There is existing parking via a lay-by next to the building and the public car park in Park Street.

“There is level hardstanding around the building, allowed wheelchair users to access the building via a level access and also be set down next to the building.”

There were no objections to the plans by the conservation officer and Wrexham Council’s interim Chief Planning Officer Ian Jones has approved the proposal in a delegated decision.

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