Flats conversion plan for historic Telford hall gets green light

The facade of Haybridge Hall in Hadley will be protected, while also providing much-needed housing for older people.

The plans were put forward by members of Wrekin Housing Trust, who say they hope the hall will be a "very pleasant place to live".

The trust also says it hopes to maintain as much as the original features of the building, which was built around 1870, was bequeathed to the people of Hadley in 1965 by Graham Murphy, of the family which owned Wrekin Brewery.

Originally there had been plans to demolish the site, but after outcry from the people of Hadley, much of the most historic elements of the hall will be saved.

Head of development at the Wrekin Housing Trust, Jean Teichmann said: "Our plans involve the partial demolition of the old hall building but the retention of the hall's original facade.

"Where possible we would like to retain original features and create interest and a sense of history.

"A glazed courtyard and atrium should make this a very pleasant place to live."

In June 2015, Telford & Wrekin Council's Cabinet imposed measures which prevented the demolition of Haybridge Hall without planning permission being granted for a replacement.

The locally listed building has been empty for around three years, when the trust decided it was no longer suitable for use as sheltered housing for the elderly.

Original plans to demolish the hall and replace it with four bungalows, were rejected by the council's planning committee in January 2015 on the grounds that it would result in the loss of an architecturally distinguished building.

A petition was launched by residents to keep the hall, which had hundreds of signatures.

The trust is also building new bungalows nearby at Hall Gardens and a further 12 on a site near Dee Close in Wellington.

As well as providing housing for older people, the construction of the new homes will deliver £10 million into the economy and create 34 construction jobs including four apprentice positions.

Let by Wrekin Retirement Living, the new homes will offer its residents easy to manage, modern properties for their retirement and they will benefit from additional services such as a dedicated retirement living coordinator, newsletters and organised social activities.

Tenant services manager, Paula Reynolds said: "We're delighted to make plans for these much needed bungalows and apartments.

"These new homes follow the completion of 37 new bungalows earlier this year in Brookside and Wellington which proved very popular and have been fully let.

"We are also undertaking an extensive refurbishment programme of existing retirement living community rooms which means tenants can enjoy additional space as an extension to their own homes.

"They are perfect for meeting friends and holding events which helps to prevent social isolation in our older tenants."