Land for Chirk dragon plans could come under spotlight

LAND earmarked for an 80ft bronze dragon sculpture could be set to come under the spotlight.A site owned by Wrexham Council near the A5 at Chirk has been set aside for the iconic statue, which would sit on a 40ft slate tower next to a 12,000 sq ft cultural centre.However, concerns have been raised that the tourist scheme has not progressed since the local authority first granted permission in 2011.Last year it was also revealed that a charity run by the man behind the proposals was being investigated for failing to hand over any of its profits to the region’s health board in seven years.The Charity Commission launched a probe after it was discovered the Frank Wingett Cancer Relief Fund, which is headed by sole trustee Simon Wingett, invested £410,000 in the dragon project instead.A Conservative politician has now submitted a request for backbenchers in Wrexham to consider alternative uses for the land.The organisation ran a shop at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, which previously gave sums of £19,000 and £4,500 to Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for patients in 2010 and 2011.However, no further money was provided and the shop was closed last March because of the lack of donations.At the time Mr Wingett said family issues had contributed to accounts being filed late, adding that the dragon scheme would create a ‘lasting charitable’ legacy’ for cancer sufferers in North Wales.