Organisations behind plans to regenerate the area around Wrexham AFC's historic stadium have restated their commitment to delivering improvements.

It comes despite an £18.3m bid to the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund to drive part of the Wrexham Gateway scheme forward being rejected in October.

The main developments along Mold Road would see a 5,000-seat stand built at the Kop end of the Racecourse Ground, with a four-star hotel and multi-storey car park nearby.

A conferencing and hospitality facility has also been suggested as part of proposals to boost the area's economy.

Members of the Wrexham Gateway Partnership have now reiterated their desire to see the plans progress as Wrexham Council prepares to make a renewed bid to the Westminster government.

The local authority's executive board is set to meet in private next week to authorise spending money on work to support the bid.

Although the details have been kept private, the council's chief executive revealed the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has joined the partnership as it looks to bring international football matches back to Wrexham.

Speaking at a media briefing this week, Ian Bancroft said: “Where we are now is a move on from where we were when we submitted a bid for the Levelling Up fund round one.

“We've now got the full involvement of the FAW within the partnership and their commitment to international matches, which is a significant commitment.

“We are committing in this executive board report to spend on items that improve the deliverability of the project.

“That will also enhance the quality of the bid that goes forward as we expect Levelling Up fund round two to launch in the spring.”

Around £25m has already been set aside by the Welsh Government to create a transport hub at Wrexham General railway station on the eastern side of the gateway site.

The overall masterplan would result in an investment of up to £90m in the area, with around half of the amount expected to be provided via the public sector.

Wrexham AFC was taken over last year by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with the former worth an estimated $150m.

When asked whether spending public money on improving the club's ground was appropriate, Mr Bancroft said: “It has always been really clear that there are two elements to the investment into the western side.

“One is in terms of the ground and the football club and that’s why the football club are a funding partner.

“The second is bringing that ground up to international standard as the oldest international football ground in the world and as an events stadium for North Wales.

“It's those elements that we want to invest in in terms of public funding.”

A report on the project will be discussed by the council's executive board on Tuesday (February 8, 2022).

Full details have been kept private due to "commercial sensitivities" but the authority said updates would be provided at a later date.

Meanwhile, Wrexham AFC executive director Humphrey Ker has voiced his commitment to the scheme.

He said: “The club’s mission statement is clear in that we want to improve the Racecourse Ground to a standard where we can regularly host international matches/events for the benefit of both Wrexham AFC and the sport loving public of North Wales.

“This partnership has the opportunity to turn this ambition into reality and we are committed to playing a full part in achieving this.”

FAW president Steve Williams said the association was "excited" to formally join the project.

He said it would ensure the stadium's facilities are improved to allow men’s, women’s and youth international football matches to be held in Wrexham on a regular basis.

Wrexham MP Sarah Atherton has also given her backing to the scheme.

She said: “I am delighted with the progress that is being made on the Wrexham Gateway project, which is so critical to Wrexham and will be welcomed by many across the town.

“The UK Government is committed to making sure that communities around the country have the opportunity to change and grow and I will be banging the drum in Westminster for our town to make sure this project gets the funding it deserves.”