PLANS to regenerate a deserted shopping centre by creating more than 50 new apartments will bring new life into a town centre, it has been claimed.

It comes after politicians gave their backing to proposals to turn offices on the first floor of Henblas Square in Wrexham town centre into 55 apartments.

The largely vacant development used to be home to several major retailers including TJ Hughes and BHS, The Entertainer and Evans clothing, which have all since left.

Wrexham Council’s planning committee has now approved an application to build 52 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments above the shops despite concerns over a lack of parking.

Planning agent David Marjoram said the application would help to rejuvenate the town.

Speaking at a planning committee meeting, he said: “It will bring a large well established building in the town centre back into use on the first floor.

“The principal benefit of development in this instance is bringing more residents into the town centre.

“A diverse town centre population can bring new life into the town centre.

“It is well documented how town centres across England in Wales are struggling with retail units regularly closing, so this development can only be viewed as a positive in that context.”

In response Cllr Alun Jenkins, who represents the Offa area of Wrexham town centre, said he had major concerns that there were no parking spaces allocated for the apartments.

He said it would have a detrimental impact on parking in other areas.

He said: “The concern that I’ve got and other members that represent wards around the town centre have is that by granting approval we’re going to be swamped by all the cars that need to be parked.

“If you come to my area at night then you find there are more cars wanting to park on the street than there are spaces.

“We can’t be in a position where you’re creating an advantage of bringing new life into the town centre while creating disadvantages elsewhere.”

However, planning officers said the site was in a ‘highly sustainable’ location with close transport links and several public car parks nearby.

Councillors voted to support the application by a large majority with all but one in favour.

Council leader Mark Pritchard said it was an ‘important’ development for the town.

The proposals were granted subject to the developers entering into a section 106 agreement with the council to either create affordable housing at the site or make a financial contribution for it to be built elsewhere.