Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, the high-profile owners of Wrexham AFC, have stirred up controversy with their latest venture – a new training facility for the club’s youth academy.

The stars are pushing forward with a lavish multi-million pound project at Darland High School in Rossett, aiming to bolster the League One team‘s future talent. But they’ve hit a snag as local residents express outrage, with some construction kicking off without the green light from planning authorities.

The proposed development has been criticized for its “brutal” design, involving two structures and two shipping containers on a green plot, sparking fears of environmental damage and community disruption. Concerns about noise, traffic, and light pollution have been raised, alongside the potential impact on protected species like great crested newts found nearby.

A summary of the nine letters of objection sent to Wrexham Council reads: “The brutal commercial and industrial appearance is not in keeping with the proposed location within the green wedge. The development goes against planning policy advice in regards to the green wedge.

“The school will lose the use of some athletic practice areas as a result of the proposal. The development is retrospective and the council should have made them stop work until the application was determined. The development brings no benefit to the Rossett community.”

With a decision on the planning application expected next week, tensions are high as the community awaits the outcome. Wrexham’s co-owners Reynolds and McElhenney have been vocal about their struggles with UK planning bureaucracy, as highlighted in their documentary.

Plans showing the location of Wrexham's new youth training facility

Plans showing the location of Wrexham’s new youth training facility

The show captures their challenges with the delayed construction of a new 5,500-seater Kop stand at the Racecourse Ground. Speaking to Collider in April, Reynolds expressed his frustration: “I think the thick buttress of bureaucracy is the biggest problem.”

“In Wales, it really is a lot of red tape, and it’s just sort of figuring out ways to tick all those boxes and make sure that every single bureaucrat is happy.”

McElhenney also chimed in on the issue, noting: “It is definitely a comedic point of consternation in the show how often we’re running up against bureaucracy. It’s a lot harder to build in the UK than, I found, almost anywhere else in the world.”

If greenlit, the academy facilities will boast changing rooms, offices, meeting rooms, a medical room, and a gym. These additions are pivotal for Wrexham’s EFL Category Three academy status, achieved earlier this year.

A planning statement from the club’s agents underscored the importance of the facility: “The training facility will be used by the Wrexham AFC academy teams, from ages nine to 18. The proposed academy buildings will enable the development and education of young athletes both on and off the pitch.”

Plans showing how Wrexham's new youth training facility will look

Plans showing how Wrexham’s new youth training facility will look

Despite some pushback, a senior local authority official has recommended the project should proceed. Wrexham Council’s lead planner, David Fitzsimon, highlighted in his report to council members: “The provision of new facilities will improve the overall sporting offer at the site.

“Planning policy directs that there is a presumption against inappropriate development within green wedges and the construction of new buildings are generally considered inappropriate development. However, the development is an essential facility for outdoor sport and recreation and as such meets the exemption criteria.”

Fitzsimon reassured that the new structures would be “discreetly” tucked behind the school and their size was modest in comparison to neighboring buildings. He said: “Having regard to the above, the development does not harm the character of the existing school and leisure facilities or the wider surrounding landscape.

“The scale, size and siting of the buildings are considered appropriate and do not unacceptably impact on the living conditions of any nearby residents.”

The planned developments come with recommendations for a green light, contingent on conditions that they include biodiversity enhancements. The final decision awaits the council’s planning committee meeting set for Monday (December 2, 2024).