Telford brick firm jobs may now be safeguarded
Jobs at a Telford brick company could be safeguarded after plans to develop part of its site as a housing estate were approved.
Michelmersh Brick Holdings, which owns Blockleys Bricks Ltd off Sommerfield Road, Hadley, has plans to sell off half of its site for housing while creating a new office block on the remaining site.
The scheme will see 185 homes, a pond, a park and a play area created, along with the possibility of allotments being created in the future.
Works ceased on the vacant part of the site in 2011 but the company still manufactures about 24 million bricks, paving stones and special shaped products each year.
Martin Warner, chief executive of Michelmersh Brick Holdings, said the plans would secure jobs at the site. He said: "Blockleys Bricks Ltd has been on this site since 1894. Since we took over the business the company has invested over £8million in Telford.
"But we are in difficult economic times and the brick industry has reflected that. Since 2007 demand has decreased and 34 brickworks have closed. This is why we made the difficult decision to close the brickworks here in 2011. But we have people interested in buying the site if we have planning permission for the houses."
Mr Warner said the site has become surplus to the operational requirements of the factory, which is running at full capacity. He said the proceeds from the site's sale will be used, at least in part, to secure ongoing brick manufacturing at the site and secure the jobs of 50 employees.
"The development is an integral element of ensuring Blockleys Brick Factory remains viable and successful and can continue to provide much-needed employment in this part of Telford," he added.
The scheme was approved unanimously by Telford & Wrekin Council last night after councillors came out in support of the company.
Councillor Shirley Reynolds said: "My main concern is to keep Blockleys in our area and keeping local jobs in the area. We don't want to lose Blockleys. They've been an excellent employer for over 100 years and we really need to support this application."
