Welsh Dragon Tower delayed

Plans for a massive dragon to tower above the Shropshire border, standing at the gateway to Wales have suffered a setback - because of its colour.

The tower, with its 210ft bronze dragon standing on top, had been recommended to be granted planning permission at a council meeting last night.

But councillors deferred their decision saying they wanted more information, with many insisting the dragon must be red.

Wrexham County Borough Council planning chief, Lawrence Instead, who recommended giving the go-ahead for the project on the A483 at Halton, said it was unique to the area.

In response to councillor worries over how thousands of visitors would affect traffic in the area he said visitor figures of between 200,000 and 300,000 people a year were very optimistic and said about 200,000 were more likely.

At last night's planning meeting Chirk councillor Ian Roberts said the people of Chirk had taken the dragon to their hearts.

"This icon will really set us apart as a different country with a different culture," he told members

But another Chirk councillor, Terry Evans called for the decision to be deferred for more information on traffic, the business plan and the colour of the dragon.

"The true colour of a Welsh dragon is red, it is just not acceptable for it to be green," he said.