PLANS to convert a Wrexham listed building into apartments and bedsits have been approved.

Wrexham Council’s planning committee met yesterday to discuss an application to convert the vacant grade II listed Miners Rescue Centre in Maesgwyn Road, Wrexham, into two self-contained apartments and seven bedsits together with a museum and a café.

After hearing a report about the proposed development, members agreed to follow the document’s recommendation and granted approval.

Speaking on behalf of the application, Stuart Hatherall, director at Blueprint Architectural Services, told the committee: “This project is driven by Wrexham Warehouse Project charity. The bedsits will provide accommodation for young people from Wrexham who have been homeless while on their next steps to progressing from care.

“When in a position to contribute these young people will then pay rent which will be invested back into the units to make them self-sustaining.

“The Warehouse Project will use the other facilities including the café and classrooms for other training opportunities for other young people in the area – all of this will be delivered while retaining sections of the building as a museum.”

Cllr Michael Morris, chairman of the planning committee, called on Mr Hatherall to confirm that both parts of the project – residential and non-residential – would be delivered, to which he replied: “The actual Warehouse Project, their main goal is the classrooms and the café.

“The accommodation will provide funding. The café, while it will serve visitors to the museum, will be used to train people potentially in catering where they just can’t get into the colleges. It is the classrooms and the training facilities which is the most important part.”

Cllr Paul Pemberton said: “I am aware of the Warehouse Project and the good work they do – if they carry on in the same way this will be an asset to the area.

“Mining is in Wrexham’s blood. This is the last chance saloon for this building and if we don’t do something now we are going to lose it and this is going to be a tragedy.”

Speaking to the Leader after the meeting George Powell – Wrexham Warehouse Project director – said he was delighted with the decision, adding: “It is fantastic and it has been a journey getting there.”