Homes go-ahead for Ever Ready factory site in Telford
It was once one of Telford's biggest employers – and now the former Ever Ready factory site will become home to 165 homes.
Outline plans for the former battery site in Dawley have been approved by planners who hailed the development as tidying up one of the gateways to the town centre.
The 10-acre site on the edge of Telford Town Park, has been vacant since the factory was demolished in June 1995.
Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee agreed it would end the site's reputation as being "dirty" industrial land and delegated authority to the development manager to grant planning permission subject to conditions.
Its new use will be for two and three storey detached, semi-detached and terraced houses with between two and five bedrooms.
Councillor Chris Turley said at last night's meeting: "This will use an untidy piece of land.
"I know it's been contaminated and had to be left for some time before we could do anything with it but this will put it to good use."
And Councillor Nigel Dugmore said: "It's at the main entrance to Wonderland, rugby matches, it was the T Live artists entrance so that road is getting busier and busier."
Black Country Properties Ltd, which is based at Stafford Park in Telford, wants to get construction under way next year. Work has already started on the site of the former White Hart pub, which stood next to the factory, where 14 homes are currently being built.
Members delegated authority to the development manager to grant permission subject to a £100,000 contribution towards play facilities.
Other conditions include 38 per cent of the development comprising affordable homes and a contribution of £405,036 towards primary school education.
Ever Ready set up its factory in Hinkshay Road in August 1956 and in its boom years more than 1,000 people – mainly women – worked there.
