Plans for a wholescale regeneration of a former British Steelworks site at Brymbo, near Wrexham, have taken a major step forward this week with the allocation of a £4.1m grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
As part of a wider mixed-use regeneration project, this grant will fund the provision of a new visitor attraction, community hub and business space on the site of the former Brymbo Steelworks. The five-year project will deliver new facilities, jobs, training and apprenticeships for the area as well as protecting an internationally significant 300 million-year old ‘fossil forest’ that was discovered during open cast mining in 2003.
The project will be delivered by a local charity, Brymbo Heritage Trust (BHT) and supported by the landowner, Brymbo Developments Ltd (BDL).
BDL last year submitted an outline planning application to Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) for a mixed-use development comprising up to 450 new homes and key community facilities.
In addition to the 450 new homes, which are vital to meeting WCBC’s housing targets, Brymbo Park will also deliver a new local 315 place primary school, a new foodstore with ancillary retail, medical centre, village pub/restaurant, children’s play areas, public footpaths, landscaping and public open space.
James Cannon, on behalf of Brymbo Developments Ltd, said: “The allocation of this substantial grant reinforces the viability and potential of this site. Aside from delivering a significant allocation of new housing, this development will provide a much-needed new village centre and a new lease of life. By opting for a mixed-use development, the existing and new residents will have a sustainable environment and will hopefully reduce the need for travel outside the community.
We look forward to working with other key stakeholders including WCBC and the Welsh Government to deliver the final pieces of this vital development, including a new primary school and medical centre.”
Having owned the site since 1992, BDL has invested significantly in its vision to present a viable and sustainable proposal that will deliver vital new community infrastructure – unlocking land, connecting the villages of Tanyfron and Brymbo and creating a true village centre that has been lacking.
The 95-hectare (235 acre) site has been decontaminated since the closure of the Brymbo Steelworks in 1992 and is one of the most strategically significant development sites in Wales. In addition, BDL owns a further 300 acres immediately west of the subject site.
Barton Willmore are advising BDL on the planning, while Knight Frank have been appointed as agents on the entire scheme.