A SUPERMARKET is planning to put up a wall and railings to keep out “undesirables”.
Asda in Wrexham wants to extend its perimeter wall and install a secure gate around a wooded area next to a footpath.
Parents have spoken of their fears while taking their children to Alexandra Primary School that the area has become a site for alcoholics and drug users.
In September parents living nearby told the Leader they were sick and tired of seeing homeless people drinking on the streets and finding needles on the path.
They said they believed the problem centred around Ty Nos night shelter on Holt Road.
But Clwyd Alyn Housing Association, which runs the 16-bed shelter, has strongly defended those who use it, stating they are strictly prohibited from using drugs and alcohol.
It added service users had recently been praised for their work in cleaning up the area.
Maesydre councillor Carol O’Toole welcomed the plans, describing them as “a good move” but said blame for anti-social behaviour should not be put on any one group of people.
Cllr O’Toole said: “Anything that will help the people who use the footpath is a good move.
“But to attribute it to any one source is not to look at the whole picture.”
The application submitted on behalf of Asda by agents Key Electrical states: “The purpose of the boundary fence works is to extend the wall and railings to the corner of the area and continue with fencing up to the existing fence at Asda, also to include a secure metal gate.
“This is to secure the area, keeping out undesirables and to prevent the area from becoming an eyesore to the general public.
“The area within the boundary fence will be kept tidy and looked after by Asda.
“Securing the area is to restrict access and to keep the area safe for the general public.”
Clwyd Alyn Housing Association is responsible for running Ty Nos, which houses homeless single men and women, in partnership with Wrexham Council.
Kevin Hughes, director of care and support services for Clwyd Alyn, said: “We will continue to work closely in partnership with local residents, businesses and support agencies, and we welcome any initiative that assists with issues that have arisen in the local wider community.
“ASDA’s decision to provide new fencing is not in any way connected to the services provided at Ty Nos; indeed, there has be a great deal of praise for the involvement of our staff and service-users in a community action initiative at the end of last year to clear and thin a woodland area where debris and litter had been discarded by others in the community.
“We continue to stress our service-users are strictly prohibited from using drugs and alcohol and this is robustly enforced.
“Problems with litter-dropping and allegations of substance misuse in the area should not be wrongly attributed to our clients, who behave in a responsible manner when accessing the service.
“As the general public are aware, these are very difficult financial times when homelessness is rising and individuals and families continue to struggle.
“For some of the most vulnerable of people in society in the Wrexham area, Ty Nos provides a vital service.”
A spokesman for Asda said: “By building a gate and fence along the public footpath it will make it safer, more convenient and also help protect the landscaped area near the store.”