PLANS to give disadvantaged youngsters a chance to rescue a listed building are in the ‘last chance saloon’.

Last month plans were submitted to Wrexham Council, seeking to turn the former Miners Rescue Centre on Maesgwyn Road, in the town centre, into apartments and a bedsit, with a museum and cafe.

It is hoped that work on the project would be carried out by disadvantaged local youngsters, who will pick up skills, work experience, and potentially be offered first refusal on living there once it is complete.

Offa Community Council were told these ambitious plans still hang in the balance at their March meeting.

The warning came from Alan Jones, chairman of the North Wales Miners Association Trust.

Mr Jones said the Ruabon red brick exteriors of the building were sound and the centre was steeped in mining history which would be lost if premises was destroyed.

He said the new plan was in the “last chance saloon”.

Businessman George Powell told councillors he bought the premises at 3-5 Maesgwyn Road, last year. The plan is to create two apartments on the first floor for carers and seven bedsits for youngsters along with a museum and cafe.

He said as he was a businessman he could not apply for grant aid.

The hope is by the Wrexham Warehouse Project charity (founded by Mr Powell) taking on ownership, they will be eligible for a grant from the Welsh Government to help fund the development.

CADW grade II listed the building in August 2010.

It was used for training purposes during the reopening of Gresford Colliery after the mining disaster in 1934, protecting the jobs of thousands of miners for almost 40 years. 

The building was deemed at ‘Grave Risk’ on Wrexham Council’s Buildings at Risk register, needing stabilising work after severe winters took their toll on the building’s exposed structure, and other damage causing deterioration.

Since 2010 a number of planning applications have been submitted, with one to change its use to student accommodation refused in 2013.

There was controversy when another businessman sought to demolish the premises because of their poor condition.

But Brynffynnon County Councillor Phil Wynn led a successful campaign to halt the move.

He left the room when the council discussed the new plan and did not take part in the discussion or the vote, as he is a trustee of the Wrexham Warehouse Project.

After the meeting, Cllr Wynn gave the Leader the overview of the charity’s hopes for the building - how it could help youngsters from the care system gain vital experience, skills and potential accommodation once completed.

The plans submitted last month also seek to increase parking spaces on site from two to five.

Offa Community Council unanimously decided to back the new plan, although Cllr Martyn Morris and Cllr Detta Palin asked if planners could be made aware of the parking problem in Maesgwyn Road.

The project hinges on the charitty receiving grant funding, and Wrexham Council’s planning committee will make their decision on the application at a future date.