Tree is holding up plans for new custody cells in Wrexham

The tree, which is being considered for a protection order, is located near the court building and would need to be cut down in order for construction work on the cells to begin.

Until the new facilities are built, all custodial cases are being dealt with in Mold rather than Wrexham – causing a great deal of inconvenience to witnesses, victims of crime and local solicitors, as well as defendants.

Wrexham MP Ian Lucas, who has campaigned for several years to have the cells built, says the saga is a “story of gross incompetence” on the part of Wrexham Council, HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) and North Wales Police.

MP Ian Lucas joins local solicitors from Allington Hughes Law behind Wrexham Magistrates court where an as yet unprotected tree may stop the development of building a custody suite on site after the loss of Wrexham Police station from the area

He is ‘exasperated’ by the latest setback about the tree and has now written to Wrexham Council to demand that a solution is found.

Until recently Wrexham Magistrates Court used the cells at the neighbouring police station – but they are no longer available as the station has closed and staff have relocated to new premises in Llay.

Mr Lucas has been raising the issue since news of the move was announced in 2015.

In a letter to Lawrence Isted, head of environment and planning at Wrexham Council, Mr Lucas writes: “I am deeply upset that neither Wrexham Council, North Wales Police nor HMCTS saw fit to resolve the issue of custody provision at Wrexham Magistrates Court before now.

“This is, in my view, grossly negligent, as we now have a major barrier to the future of Wrexham having a fully functioning court because a practical issue was not resolved at an appropriate time.”

Mr Lucas continues the letter by saying he has encountered ‘indifference, ignorance and incompetence at every stage’, adding: “Now we have a position where a tree is a barrier to the construction of cells and, at this late stage, I am requesting that the council acts to protect the future of an important civic and commercial facility in the town.

“I am aghast that I have to do so.”

Mr Lucas has liaised closely with concerned town solicitors over the problem and met a group of them on Thursday at the magistrates court.

Among them was Ian Barnes, head of the criminal and regulatory department at Allington Hughes Law in Wrexham, who said: “This is an issue that should have been resolved as soon as it was known that the police station was to be moved.

This is the tree that stands in the way of progress in the building of a custody suite at Wrexham Magistrates Court

“To only now be dealing with it is appalling and shows a disregard for the importance of a local justice centre.

“This will not only impact on those accused of crime and local practitioners but on witnesses, victims of crime and the public who are prevented from seeing justice being administered locally.”

Mr Lucas added: “What we have here is a story off gross incompetence on behalf of the council, HMCTS and North Wales Police.

“I’ve been exasperated by the lack of progress and will continue to hold those responsible to account.

“The UK Government has closed courts across Wales and England over recent years – but that simply can’t be allowed to happen in Wrexham.”

Mr Lucas wants assurances that the cells will be built before plans to demolish the old police station and replace it with a Lidl supermarket are considered by the council.

Yesterday Mark Pritchard, leader of Wrexham Council, explained he could not comment on behalf of HM Courts and Tribunals Service or North Wales Police, but said: “I’m extremely concerned and surprised to hear the comments from Mr Lucas on this issue.

“To accuse Wrexham Council of gross incompetence is a disgrace.

“It highlights Mr Lucas’ lack of information regarding planning applications and the due process they have to go through.

“With Mr Lucas being an MP, I would expect him to know it has to go through the process fairly.

“I am sure he would have a lot to say if individuals or groups were going around Wrexham cutting down trees without following the tree preservation order (TPO).

“I am sure he would be the first to campaign to stop them and save the trees.

“Regarding the tree and the court, an application has come in and it will go through the process.

“This has been a long-standing issue and he knows that. Wrexham Council can only deal with an application when it is submitted to us.”

Cllr Pritchard (pictured) added: “The officers and I are upset about his comments and behaviour and if he thinks that running to the press, jumping up and down, kicking and screaming and making accusations of negligence will speed up the planning process, then he is wrong.

“I think he should apologise.

“I hope he does see common sense and apologises to the council and our staff in the planning department who work tirelessly to be impartial and deliver a first class service and to HM Courts and Tribunals Service and North Wales Police.”