A GREEN space said to have been the location of witch trials in Rhosddu could soon be built on.

Lynne Hayes, of Save Open Spaces, has listened to the concerns of residents and is taking up the fight to save Witches Pool, off Gerald Street.

Gower Homes has submitted an application for outline planning permission to build 24 houses on the site and this will be heard by Wrexham councillors at December's planning committee meeting

'It is a site which could have historic significance,' said Lynne. 'But in recent times it has been privately owned so it has been impossible to check for evidence.

'But these places get these names for a reason. It is believed that people accused of witchcraft in Wrexham would be taken there and sat on a ducking stool in the pond.

'They would be repeatedly dipped under the water and if they survived, they were a witch and were killed. If they died, they were not deemed a witch.

'After these rituals, artifacts would often be thrown into the water as offerings to God. In other Witches Pools across Britain these artifacts have shed light on when settlements were found in an area and what status those settlements had.'

A N Palmer's History of Wrexham, published in 1893, identifies the pool as the site of ducking and states it once belonged to the notorious Hanging Judge Jeffries.

'There has never been a development on it,' said David Moysen, an member of the Gerald Street Action Group which opposes this application. His home backs onto the proposed site.

'It is virtually untouched since mediaeval times. The pool was partly filled in by the previous owners but has survived and retains a water supply thanks to a natural water course that has fed it for centuries, long after similar pools have dried up.

'There are so many forms of wildlife making their home there - herons, newts, birds, frogs. It is amazing so close to the town centre.

'There is a vast array of plantlife, including a mature ash and mature willow, which make the area unique in Wrexham.

'It is a part of the heritage of the area and with so much of Wrexham's history sold off and developed over the years, surely we must protect what little we have left.'

Lynne said the development could also cause practical problems for residents.

'This land provides significant drainage for the area, with all the rainwater flowing into it. Without it, a flooding problem may develop.

'The plans are to reduce the size of the pond by up to a half and fell all but a few of the trees in favour of 24 new houses.

'SOS would like to see a full independent environmental assessment, not conducted by council officers, regarding the flora and fauna of the site before any planning consent is given.

'We would also hope that Wrexham Borough Council will take into consideration that the area is becoming even more densely populated, with 70 apartments being constructed on Regent Street.

'Planning applications have been approved for a total of 141 new homes within 200 metres of the old nursery site. Surely there is no need to add to this.'

Gower Homes declined to comment.