Ironbridge Power Station, Shropshire | A Project by Harworth Group plc

Overview & Vision

Harworth Group’s highest profile acquisition of 2018; the 350-acre former Ironbridge Power Station is planned for regeneration into a mixed-use scheme, creating a new community at the heart of the region’s industrial heritage.

Harworth Group purchased the site from Uniper plc in June 2018 which comprises the former power station, former social club, borrow pits, landfill waste tips and a rail siding, which was historically used to transport coal to the site.

The power station was constructed in 1963 and ceased electricity generation in 2015, following demolition of the previous power station in the 1980’s after 50 years of operation.

Harworth’s masterplan, submitted for outline planning at the end of 2019, shows a mixed-use scheme for 1,000 new homes in addition to a range of commercial, leisure and community uses including a park and ride facility, a school and public open space. Before development of these areas, a period of activity will commence to remove the existing minerals from the site. Talks are also ongoing with National Rail to bring the existing rail sidings on the site back into operation in addition to strengthening the rail bridge that crosses the river.

The Ironbridge scheme is likely to take between 10 and 15 years to fully develop.

View CGI Masterplan >

Development Progress

Harworth Group hosted a public consultation event in October 2018 to present its initial plans, with over 600 people in attendance. Feedback from the consultation contributed to the emerging masterplan for the site, which was presented at the follow up public consultation event in May 2019 prior to the masterplan’s eventual planning submission to both Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Councils in December 2019. Following a resolution to grant planning permission for the development from Telford & Wrekin Council in May 2021, Shropshire Council also resolved to grant planning subject to legal agreement in September 2021.

In addition, Harworth also submitted a planning application to release 1.9 million tonnes of saleable sand and gravel from the greenfield area of the site over a period of 5 years.

Following the successful demolition of the four cooling towers in December 2019, Harworth have since concluded the demolition programme on-site following the demolition of the Bunker Bay (July 2020), Tank Bay (January 2021), Boiler Bay (February 2021) and the 204m-high Chimney Stack (September 2021). The National Grid and Western Power Distribution substations and equipment will not be demolished, with the assets forming part of the overall masterplan.

Alongside the ongoing clearance and ground works to prepare the first parcels of development, Harworth are also exploring the feasibility of reintroducing rail services from the site, utilsing the site’s existing rail assets.

The new scheme coming forward is being marketed as Benthall Grange – Ironbridge.