Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney win key battle as Birmingham City rivals face 'brutal' criticism

Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been granted permission to build a new training facility for Wrexham AFC's young players despite opposition from neighbours

Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have won a planning battle with neighbours to build a new training facility for Wrexham’s young stars.

Despite opposition from residents, the actors have been given permission to create a base for the League One side’s youth academy at Darland High School in the Wrexham village of Rossett.

The project, part of a multi-million-pound investment, will include measures to safeguard local wildlife and features two structures on a greenfield site, plus changing facilities, offices, a medical room and a gym alongside two shipping containers.

Club representatives claimed the facility is key to nurturing future stars as the owners aim to propel Birmingham City's League One promotion rivals towards the Premier League. But the Hollywood pair faced criticism during a Wrexham planning meeting when they were accused of ignoring residents' concerns and flouting planning regulations by starting construction prior to obtaining consent.

According to Wales Online, neighbours criticised the scale and "brutal" look of the buildings and also raised the issues of noise, traffic and light pollution in nine letters of objection submitted to Wrexham Council.

Nonetheless, Wrexham AFC’s academy manager Andy Lowe defended the plans, claiming they will provide "positive benefits" locally. He added: "Wrexham AFC have invested heavily in the city and local community in recent years, and the investment into the facility at Darland High School demonstrates further commitment to the long term future."

Local councillor Hugh Jones was disappointed by the club's lack of contact with residents, stating: "I think it's rather sad that Darland School and the football club have been particularly poor in engaging with the local community in respect of this development."

Planning chair Mike Morris also criticised the club's tendency to start projects before receiving approval, adding : "In terms of the track record of the football club and their retrospective applications that they tend to submit on a regular basis, I think we need to be as tight as possible."

But the proposals won overwhelming support among committee members with all but one member endorsing them and just a single abstention.