THE WREXHAM Gateway Project could be set for a £4.79m boost.

In a meeting on July 21, members of the North Wales Ambition Board supported a recommendation to invite five new projects to join the Growth Deal portfolio - with the Gateway Project among those approved.

The North Wales Growth Deal is a £1billion investment in the region’s economy - £240million of which has been funded by both UK Government and Welsh Government.

The aim of the Growth Deal is to build a more sustainable and resilient economy in North Wales by boosting productivity and tackling long-term challenges and economic barriers to growth.

Subject to agreement of certain conditions, each project will now go on to develop an outline business case.

It comes after the Wrexham Gateway Project missed out on vital UK Government Levelling Up funding earlier this year.

The scheme would signal a complete regeneration of the area surrounding the Racecourse Ground and Wrexham General train station. The project is split between east and west. 

The east side of the scheme has already received £25 million worth of Welsh Government funding. It will see major redevelopment of the site around the Wrexham General station, including commercial development and upgrades to the civic and amenity spaces.

Wrexham Council had hoped to secure Levelling Up funding for the western side which is the Kop stand redevelopment at The Racecourse. That includes groundworks for a hotel, potential conference facilities and also car parking. 

The Leader: Plans for the new Kop at The Racecourse. Plans for the new Kop at The Racecourse. (Image: Wrexham AFC)

Other North Wales projects earmarked to get funding are as follows: 

  • Responsible Adventure project by Zip World - £6.2m
  • Kinmel Studios project by Stage Fifty - £6.8m
  • Holyhead Hydrogen Hub project by Menter Môn - £3.8m
  • Deeside Waste to Fuel Plant project by The Circular Economy Ltd - £6.4m

Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn, chair of the North Wales Ambition Board said: “We are pleased to support the recommendation that these five exciting new projects can proceed to the next phase in order to secure Growth Deal funding.

"They are transformational projects which have the potential to be significant additions to the North Wales economy and to generate additional investment and employment opportunites in key sectors. They reflect our vision for innovative and sustainable economic prosperity through collaboration between public and private sectors."    

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Alwen Williams, portfolio director added: “Today’s decision is a significant step forward as we allocate Growth Deal funding to these innovative new projects. I look forward to working with each organisation as they develop their outline business cases and I am keen to see the positive impact they can have on our communities and economy.”

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said: “It’s brilliant to see new projects with so much great potential reach the next phase of funding. The UK Government has contributed £120m to the North Wales Growth Deal and I’m delighted to see this money, along with contributions from our partners, being used to help transform the economy of North Wales.

"This transformation will provide well-paid jobs for the future, driving growth and prosperity and making a material difference to so many people who live and work in north Wales.”

Economy Minister Vaughan Gething said: “I’m pleased to see five new projects become part of the North Wales Growth Deal.  These exciting projects have the potential to be transformational for the region, contributing towards employment, skills and will be a boost for local communities.  I look forward to seeing them develop with the support of the Growth Deal.”

The five projects announced will now work with Ambition North Wales to develop an outline business case for consideration. The decision is seen as the first step in a process which could see these projects become reality. Each project has 12 months to deliver its plans.