Independent planning consultancy DPP has helped Wales’ oldest football team, Wrexham's Cefn Druids, kick off the new season at a new ground. 

The Druids played their very last game, a friendly against Cefn Druids Alumni XI, on Tuesday 10 August at their old Plaskynaston ground, Cefn Mawr, where they won 7-1. The Druids will kick off the new season in September at a new 500 seat stadium at nearby Rock Road, Rhosymedre. 

The new stadium was facilitated by the sale of the existing ground to Tesco, who will be redeveloping the old Plaskynaston ground for a 25,000 sq ft net store.

DPP, acting for Tesco and developer J Ross Developments, secured planning permission for the new Rock Road stadium, a purpose built facility that includes 500 seats, covered terraces, a club house and parking for 100 cars. DPP also secured permission for the new store at the Plaskynaston ground. Work is expected to begin on the new store imminently.

Dafydd Williams, a senior planner in the Cardiff office of DPP said: “The Druids played their first match at Plaskynaston in 1961 against a Manchester United youth team which included George Best. The team has a long history in the town and we are delighted to see them face the new season in a new home. We wish the team every success in the forthcoming season and hope to see them promoted back to the Welsh Premiership soon.”

Wrexham's Cefn Druids club secretary Mark McKean said: “This is a major step forward and the team won't be looking back thanks to the new facilities.”

Justin Lawrence, Tesco adds: “We are delighted by the new facilities for the Druids. The team might by the oldest in Wales, but they now have the newest facilities. We wish them well for the forthcoming season.”

Nick Scott from J Ross Developments said “We’ve enjoyed working with the Cefn Druids and local stakeholders in the delivery of this state of the art new football stadium, which represents a significant investment in the local community and the oldest foot club in Wales. We are sure the new facility will stand the Cefn Druids in good stead for the future, we wish them all the best!” 

The club, nicknamed The Ancients, was formed as Plasmadoc FC in 1869, becoming Druids in 1872.

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Pictures
CGIs of the proposed development are available on request.

About DPP
DPP is a top ten independent town planning consultancy providing strategic advice to the a range of clients. DPP's chartered planners, sustainability, heritage and design experts work with developers, landowners, business operators and public sector bodies, offering services relating to the development and use of land. The firm operates in all development sectors with a particular presence in residential, retail, regeneration, mixed uses, business and commercial.  DPP is committed to maintaining the qualities that separate us from our competitors, as well as continuing to enhance our established reputation for providing high quality, efficient and cost-effective services while helping clients reach their planning and development objectives.

Clients of DPP include Bellway Homes Ltd, Caffé Nero, Centros, Domino's Pizza, English Heritage, Invensys, Liberty Properties, Liverpool Land Development Company, Mercian Developments, The Ministry of Justice, Shell International, Taylor Wimpey, Tesco, Unilever Pension Fund Trustees, United Utilities, the Watkin Jones Group and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Contact
Ceri Edwards, Redwood Consulting
Tel: 020 7828 5553
Email: ceri@redwoodconsulting.co.uk