Ironbridge power station site: Hope for cooperation in talks about future
A councillor says she hopes Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils can work together to ensure a successful future for Ironbridge's power station site.
Shropshire Council has revealed that it is
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The sites include Ironbridge Power Station, Clive Barracks near Market Drayton, and Copthorne Barracks in Shrewsbury.
Councillor Nicola Lowery, who represents Ironbridge Gorge on Telford & Wrekin Council, has welcomed the move and says it is vital that the future of the site is carefully mapped out.
She said: "The Ironbridge Gorge continues the draw many thousands of visitors a year but I do feel there is still further potential to capitalise on the World Heritage Site status.
"To do this will require highly innovative and well thought master planning as well as considering how we sustainably expand our infrastructure, hospitality and leisure sectors to broaden our destination offering and create further employment opportunities to stimulate the local economy."
Councillor Lowery has also voiced support for a heritage rail link to be considered as part of the site's future.
She said: "I am still greatly in support of the introduction of a heritage rail link into Ironbridge using the existing freight line to the power station that would see visitors and residents steaming into a World Heritage Site on a heritage Steam train. I understand Telford Steam Railway has ambitions to use this line to connect Horsehay to Ironbridge which could greatly improve connectivity and our destination offer for the whole borough and am keen for all parties involved to discuss this further."
Councillor Lowery said that while housing is needed, potential developments should also deliver economic benefits to Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire.
She said: The creation of new homes within our boroughs is important, however it is essential we are considering the broader potential possibilities of such large-scale sites beyond the need of housing to ensure any proposal positively contributes and enriches our communities and provides deliverable economic benefits.
"Vigorous and carefully considered master planning is therefore required for such large-scale sites as they have the potential to have a significant impact on our infrastructure, local business and residential communities. While the power station sits within the boundary of Shropshire Council the future use for the site will have a consequential impact on our World Heritage Site.
"The Ironbridge Gorge is an icon of both Shropshire and the wider region of the West Midlands carrying international significance and is one of most important historical assets therefore I do hope both councils and Uniper can work collaboratively to ensure a bright future for the former Ironbridge Power Station."
