The redevelopment of the former Ironbridge Power Station was confirmed yesterday when Shropshire Council added its approval of the scheme to that given last month by Telford & Wrekin Council.
Consultants Pegasus Group secured outline planning permission on behalf of the Harworth Group to bring 1,000 new homes to the site. The development is also set to deliver a strategic employment zone, a local centre, allotments, sports pitches, a railway link, leisure uses, primary/nursery school, a retirement village, walking and cycling routes, and associated landscaping, drainage and infrastructure works. Pegasus provided the following services – public engagement; planning; landscape; heritage and economic
Planning officers have resolved to grant planning permission, subject to a referral to the Secretary of State. Shropshire Council, the lead authority, will now work with Telford & Wrekin to deliver the cross-boundary infrastructure.
Steve Lewis-Roberts, Senior Director at Pegasus Group said: “We are extremely pleased that this major development scheme now has the seal of approval from both councils, and that work can begin.
“This is a complex site with many planning challenges. It has been a great team effort to provide positive solutions to the issues that have been raised, which has now culminated in support for the proposals from both Councils. This decision provides the basis for the delivery of a new, high-quality distinctive settlement based upon good design principles, which integrates successfully into its wider surroundings.”
Harworth Group will act as a master developer for the whole site over its lifetime; providing site wide infrastructure and selling serviced residential parcels to housebuilders, and therefore Harworth will have a long-term involvement and interest in the overall development of the site.
David Cockroft, Regional Director for the Midlands at Harworth, commented: “Our approved masterplan for Ironbridge Power Station will transform this former industrial site into a sustainable new community, providing additional homes, jobs and infrastructure for local people. We have worked with stakeholders every step of the way to ensure this is a long-term development that the community can be proud of, and one that is well connected to the existing local network of roads, footpaths and open spaces that surround the site. Work to remove the former power station buildings is well-progressed and we aim to begin the first phase of construction on the site early next year. As always, we will engage with all local stakeholders to keep them updated of our progress.”
Pegasus Group specialises in planning, design, environment, economics and heritage services from its 16 offices in the UK and Ireland.