On Monday (January 12), Rhosllanerchrugog Councillor Paul Pemberton announced that Clear Springs, a company used by the government to house asylum seekers, is looking to house 70 people in the Plas Yn Rhos building.
Plas Yn Rhos, located in Rhosllanerchrugog, is a former purpose-built local authority sheltered housing facility which closed in 2016, and went up for sale in October last year.
Today (January 16), the public meeting was held to discuss the proposal at the Hafod Colliery Club in Rhos.
More than 400 people attended the venue from 3.30pm to raise their concerns and give their opinions and there was a high police presence.
The numbers attending were so great that the meeting had to be split in to separate parts in order for groups to make their way in and out of the venue to give a chance for everyone to hear what was being said.
The queue to get into the meeting at Hafod Colliery Club. (Image: Newsquest)
Among them were Councillors David Bithell, Eddie Roberts and Paul Pemberton, as well as MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, Steve Witherden, and Clwyd South MS Ken Skates.
Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Pemberton said the interest in the plans have been ‘phenomenal’ since he broke the news earlier this week.
He added: “If this went ahead, it would completely ruin the fabric of our community forever.”
Cllr Pemberton added that both Rhos Community Council and Wrexham Council have ‘strongly objected’ to the plans.
The proposals are currently in the ‘consultation’ period until this weekend, he said.
Cllr Bithell explained the application process to the members of the public in attendance, adding that the Home Office have to decide whether or not to ‘pursue’ the site in the coming months.
He added that a previous similar application for the site had also been submitted by Clear Springs back in 2019 and that this was rejected.
He also said that Wrexham Council had also been pursuing options to purchase the site.
Steve Witherden MP confirmed that the site is currently owned by Birmingham-based Marman Estates.
Residents had the opportunity to raise their concerns during the public meeting, with many stepping up to the microphone to share their views.
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Some argued that the site could be used to help reduce the stress on the NHS by providing beds for local people who become unwell, while another man – who is currently homeless – asked for some support of his own from the council members present.
Cllr Pemberton thanked Rhos residents for their ‘phenomenal turnout’ for the meeting.