Plans to turn industrial unit in Ruabon into taekwondo school backed for approval

PLANS to turn an industrial unit in Wrexham into a taekwondo school have been backed for approval.
An application was submitted in September to convert a property on the Vauxhall Industrial Estate in Ruabon.
The proposals put forward by Adrian Jones to use the premises to teach self defence classes have now been recommended to go ahead by a senior officer from Wrexham Council.
In the documents, Mr Jones said the change of use would help to keep people fit and support local schools.
He said: “We feel our proposal will be great for the local community as we offer free self-defence and anti-bullying classes.
“We also support the active young people initiative with the local authority and hope to get more children and adults within the local area fit and healthy.
“Martial arts is great for keeping the kids off electronics and off the streets and has been a life changing experience for many individuals.
“We already work very closely with local schools as our first Taekwondo class was opened in 2003 in Ruabon so we are established in the area, and we are the only martial arts club on the local authorities’ club approved list.
“We aim to continue our work with the school and can support the new curriculum of which health and wellbeing is one of the six areas of learning.”
The local authority has received feedback from one neighbouring property owner, who raised concerns about the limited amount of parking on the industrial estate.
But chief planning officer Lawrence Isted said the facility would be open at a time when most other businesses are closed.
In a report set to go before the council’s planning committee on Monday,  he said: “The main issue for consideration is the compatibility of the proposed use with the existing, predominantly light industrial uses.
“The applicant wishes to use the site on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.
“On this basis, I am satisfied that the proposed use is unlikely to interfere with the existing uses.
“I am satisfied that the proposed use of the building for a taekwondo training establishment will not cause harm to the amenity of the wider locality or the viability of the predominantly commercial area.”

By Liam Randall – Local Democracy Reporter