Key update on 101-homes plan that could put Ironbridge World Heritage Site status 'at risk'

Shropshire Homes wants to build the homes at the historic Coalbrookdale Works site, in Wellington Road, in Coalbrookdale, despite the concerns of advisors to Unesco that its status as a World Heritage Site could be at risk.

The Coalbrookdale site has links to the Industrial Revolution and was home to the Coalbrookdale AGA foundry. The development will also see conversion of the former compressor house and the reconstruction of the former pattern shop to provide three dwellings.

Ian Kilby, speaking on behalf of Shropshire Homes, told a planning inspector that it had followed the planning processes and had spent a "lot of up front development costs" on the site. It brought the site six years ago. A planning application was lodged in April, 2021.

"Bringing the matter to appeal would be a way of facilitating a decision and for the issues to be put forward," he said.

The developers revealed that they will not be applying for costs from Telford & Wrekin Council, which failed to determine the planning application in time. The appeal is on the grounds of non-determination and takes the decision away from the council.

The council's planning committee later said they would have given permission but that decision carries no weight now that a government planning inspector is involved.

Penny Stephan, the council's case officer for the proposal, told planning inspector Benjamin Webb that there had been lots of discussions both before the planning application was lodged and during discussions. She said these caused 'significant delays'.