Thursday, April 4, 2024
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WORLD HERITAGE FEAR FOR GORGE Developers behind housing plans that could put Ironbridge’s World Heritage Status at risk have launched an appeal over the scheme.
Shropshire Homes applied to Telford & Wrekin Council in April 2021 for permission to build up to 101 homes on the site of the former Coalbrookdale Works in Wellington Road. The foundry closed in 2017 after 300 years of work at the site. No decision has yet been taken on the proposal and the applicant has now applied for it to be determined by an inspector at a planning appeal on the grounds of ‘non-determination’. A hearing is set for June 25 with a decision due by August 29. The impasse has been largely due to concerns about the plans from ICOMOS, which is an advisory body to the Unesco World Heritage Committee – the organisation that grants the Ironbridge Gorge its coveted ‘World Heritage Status’ and has the power to take it away. The status is shared with Machu Picchu in Peru, the Great Wall of China, the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Pyramids of Giza. ICOMOS had previously warned that the scheme could impact the ‘outstanding universal value’ of
DOMINIC ROBERTSON Chief Reporter
the area – a measure used to grant ‘World Heritage Status’. The Government expressed its own concerns in November 2022 during discussions with Telford & Wrekin Council. A letter from Phil Foxwood from the Department for Digital Culture and Media’s Cultural Diplomacy Team, said: “We would urge you to fully consider all the recommendations from ICOMOS and address them as far as is feasible. If the development goes ahead and ICOMOS’s concerns remain, there will be a risk that the World Heritage Committee judges the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site to have been severely compromised. In those circumstances, it is likely that the site would be put on UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger and, should the development continue, could ultimately be delisted as a World Heritage Site.” A statement prepared for the appeal by the planning agents Berrys, on behalf of Shropshire Homes, acknowledges that the council has been faced with a difficult choice. Members of the public will have until May 1 to submit comments on the proposals for the appeal.
Restaurant wings way into town
Grant cash available for energy efficiency
Residents in Telford and Wrekin can now apply for grant money to help make their homes more energy efficient. Telford & Wrekin Council has launched a new energy efficiency grant aimed at helping more residents save on energy bills while keeping their homes warm. The ‘Warm & Well Telford’ grant is available to residents in receipt of means-tested benefits or those with a household income of less than £50,000 before tax. To those eligible, it offers smart thermostatic radiator valves, energy-efficient glazing for windows that are single-glazed or in poor condition (up to two windows per property) and energy-efficient external doors (for one door per property).
Rush continues for foodbanks in area
Restaurant manager Shena Sanghwal with Ben Kaz and Jack Davis The team behind a new restaurant want it to become a ‘go-to’ place for fried chicken fans. Up to 15 jobs are being created following the opening of Wingers at Telford’s Southwater. And co-owner Amran Sunner said: “We have been looking at Tel-
ford for a while and are glad to get the doors open. “We did a poll on social media a while ago and asked where should we look at for a new location. We had a lot of names coming forward for Telford which started us looking in the area.”
Foodbanks this week said there is no end to the cost-of-living crisis, as they reported an ongoing increase in demand. Groups operating across the county say numbers needing help have risen, with families continuing to struggle to meet even their most basic needs from day to day. New figures released this week reveal a continuing fall in inflation for groceries and household energy bills are set to fall because of changes to the price cap for electricity and gas. But the prices of goods in the shops and utility bills still remain significantly higher than they were two years ago. And other bills, such as broadband and mobile have jumped in price, squeezing already tight household budgets.
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