A WREXHAM university has been accused of acting out of spite after padlocking one of the main points of access to a field it was denied permission to build on.

Proposals by Glyndwr University to put 74 houses on a sports field on Dean Road in Rhosnesni were rejected last month because of the loss of public open space.

University representatives expressed their disappointment at the decision by Wrexham Council’s planning committee as they hoped to sell approval for the scheme to help fund the £60m redevelopment of its main campus.

At the time, the university said it intended to consider its options.

However, it has now sparked anger in the local community after chains and padlocks were placed round a gate on Holt Road to prevent members of the public from accessing the site.

The institution has also put up signs which state it has withdrawn permission for people to use the space with immediate effect.

Rhosnesni councillor Mike Davies, who was among those who fought against the housing proposals, slammed the move and said the land had been used by residents for decades.

He said: “On the day when planning permission was rejected, someone from the university was heard to say: ‘We’ll see how they like it when we turf them off the pitch.’

“It sounds like a spiteful move and now they’re actually doing it.

“I’m disappointed as the field has been used by myself and many other people for dozens of years.

“There were no signs there until 2011 and all of a sudden they’ve now blocked access to the field.”

During last month’s planning meeting, a number of concerns were raised about the site, including the possibility of extra traffic congestion on Holt Road.

There was also widespread anger from the community about the potential loss of open space, which is currently used by a local football club.

Despite the gate being padlocked, the site can still be accessed via an entrance on Dean Road owned by Wrexham Council, although signs have been put up near the boundary to warn against trespassing onto the university’s land.

The local authority was previously due to consider whether to give its section of the field to the university to allow a sports pitch to be kept if the houses were built, but the item has since been removed from its website.

James Cleverley, who lives close to the field, has also condemned the university’s actions.

He said: “I’ve been taking my dogs there for years without any issues so I’m very disappointed, especially as it coincides with the rugby club tightening their rules on dogs.

“It’s a shame to see a local university which is highly respected in the town chain off a field used by residents for decades.

“It seems like a highly petty act given their recent planning failure.”

However, Glyndwr University has defended its actions and said it had the right to remove permission to use the land at any time.

Officials added that they would also be cutting back spending on the maintenance of the site.

A spokesman said: “The land at Dean Road is private land owned by Wrexham Glyndwr University.

“The university has been clear through its previous signage that permissions allowing public access may be withdrawn at any time.

“The ongoing maintenance works and costs associated with maintaining the land have always been borne by the university, but as we no longer require the land for educational purposes, the decision has been made to cut back on the grounds maintenance contract and reduce overheads.

“Therefore, as of today, new signage has been erected withdrawing the permission for public access to the site.”

The university has yet to file an appeal against the local authority’s decision, but officials said the university would continue to explore their options for the field.

They added that they would continue to work with the council and Borras Park Albion FC to secure a playing field at the site.