CALLS have been made for a Welsh secondary schools to be built in Wrexham.

The Leader reported last week how a private discussion was held by Wrexham Council’s executive board about the fate of the Groves School building and its adjoining playing fields – which has been abandoned since 2003.

In documents released later, it was revealed that members decided to “enable the regeneration of the former Groves School Building whilst preserving its listed building status and removing a maintenance liability.”

The council’s chief officer housing and economy, Steve Bayley, has been authorised to ‘submit a full planning application with reserved matters’ as well as apply to the Lands Tribunal to remove or alter the existing covenants, agree a 99-year full repair and insurance lease at peppercorn rent and negotiate any further agreements required for the use of the Nine Acre site.

Readers took to the Leader's Facebook page to have their say on what should happen with the site.

Caroline Browne said: "There is definitely a need for another Welsh High School either in or close to Wrexham.

"But we also need something for all the children with special or additional needs who are struggling with a mainstream high school."

Beverley Wright said: "An additional Welsh secondary school is needed in Wrexham, especially with the increase at primary level over recent years."

Jessica Louise Messenger posted: "Another Welsh high school definitely - the building [is] already set up as a school."

Simon Williams said: "Secondary Welsh School. There are far too many Welsh Primary school children, and the only options for Welsh secondary schools are Morgan Llywd and one in Mold. "Where are they all supposed to go to by the time they reach that age?"

Several other people made similar suggestions but some put other ideas forward, including Becci Trussell-Jones who said: "Art deco hotel. We need a hotel in Wrexham."

Hayley Keefe said: "We need a minor injuries unit here in Wrexham."

Kevin Stringer suggested a Football academy ground, while Norma Drury said: "It needs to be social housing for the homeless.

"There are too many young people with nowhere to sleep."

A spokesman for Save Our Heritage CIC said:the organisation is pleased with the recent announcement by Wrexham County Borough Council, which states that "the former Grove Park School building will finally be put to good use".

The spokesman continued: "The news has been a long time coming, as the initial request for expressions of interest was made in early 2019.

"Save Our Heritage did submit our own plans for the building, but they were sadly declined by the Council.

"As the exact nature of the organisation taking over the building is still not in the public domain, it’s very difficult to comment fully until we have more details of their intentions.

"At this juncture, we are reasonably confident that the Grade II listed building will be treated with the respect that it deserves, and are happy to make any historical information we have on the building available to the new occupiers.

"With regard to comments on social media that Wrexham urgently needs more Welsh language secondary school provision, and that the school would make an ideal site for such an establishment - Whilst true in many ways, this is something that only Wrexham Council can decide.

"When the possibility of using the building for a Welsh language secondary school was first brought up, we were informed that if a new secondary school was to be provided, it would more likely be in the south of the county, possibly in the Ruabon area.”

Wrexham Council was approached for comment.