Work underway to redevelop historic Telford building

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

The Wrekin Housing Trust’s redevelopment of the building is now underway.

The trust has contributed £883,000, Telford & Wrekin Council have given a further £475,000, and the Homes and Communities Agency has provided £349,500 for the Haybridge Hall development project, which will protect the building's history while also meeting modern needs.

Head of Property, David Hall, said: “Our plans involve the partial demolition of the old hall building but the retention of the hall’s very popular original façade.

"Where possible we would like to retain some of the original features and incorporate into the new building to create interest and a sense of history.

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

Let by The Wrekin Housing Trust, the new homes will have easy to manage, modern apartments for their retirement, and new residents will benefit from additional services such as a dedicated Retirement Living Coordinator, newsletters and organised social activities.

Haybridge Hall was built around 1870. It was bequeathed to the people of Hadley in 1965 by Graham Murphy, of the family which owned Wrekin Brewery.

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 about three years, when the trust decided it was no longer suitable for use as sheltered housing for the elderly.

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.

The trust is also building 12 new bungalows nearby at Hall Gardens.

As well as providing much needed housing for older people, the construction of the new homes will deliver £7.4 million into the economy and create 51 jobs including three apprentice positions.

In Telford & Wrekin, the trust has built 463 much needed new affordable homes in the last two years, and the trust’s upcoming new build programme will bring an additional 456 new affordable homes to Telford & Wrekin over the next two years.

The Wrekin Housing Trust is asking people for fond memories and old photographs of Haybridge Hall, Hadley with the aim of creating a feature to be displayed in the hall once completed.

Anyone that has memories and photographs that they would like to share, can get in touch with Amy Walker by emailing PR@wrekinhousingtrust.org.uk or phoning 01952 217038.