Residents REJECT Council plan for The Gower Telford
Added: (Sun Aug 15 2021)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
A community that successfully fought to overcome the threat of demolition of their iconic former cottage hospital building, are gearing up for a new battle.
Their vision of transforming The Gower in St Georges into a fully-fledged community facility is being swept aside in favour of the local council's short-sighted ‘cash over community’ plan.
The much-loved building has a long history that has touched the lives of many people since its cornerstone was laid in 1873. Following periods as a school and youth club, local people came together to save The Gower and a charity formed to bring the building back into use. Lynne Shepherd who chairs the management group said, “We’ve put a lot of effort in to prevent further deterioration of the building. Including repeated attempts at vandalism and infestation by pigeons.”
Gower Heritage and Enterprise Foundation (GHEF) has developed an ambitious plan which would see a multi-purpose wellness centre created. “It would meet the needs expressed by local people during consultation and open the next chapter in the history of The Gower.”
Richard Overton, Chair of St Georges & Priorslee Parish Council said, “This is what St Georges needs really. It needs a hub to bring life so that the youth have got somewhere to go. And people love the building. Its heritage is there. It’s a listed building and we can develop that history into the beating heart of St Georges.”
The plan extends the existing building to provide education, training and wellbeing for all. The project has attracted funds from Power to Change to enable GHEF to utilise professional expertise in developing a sustainable business providing services to north Telford.
“Such a major project obviously relies on support from local authorities”, Lynne added. “Both Telford and Wrekin Council and St Georges and Priorslee Parish Council seemed to be on board as key partners. Telford had ‘set aside’ £650,00 for us to use as match-funding but that’s all changed now.”
Applications TWC/2021/0722 and TWC/2021/0724 have been submitted by Nuplace Ltd. to the Telford and Wrekin planning authority for the erection of 14 new dwellings and conversion of the Grade II listed Gower building to provide 3 new dwellings, a community facility and parish council offices.
“It feels like a slap in the face,” said Lynne, “after all the fundraising and volunteer hours we’ve put in to come up with a workable plan. I urge everyone to reject the council plans for The Gower.”
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Notes to Editor
Gower Heritage & Enterprise Foundation is a charity registered in England and Wales No. 1167678 – Contact Rob on 07985 398600.
Nuplace Ltd. are a lettings company, owned by Telford & Wrekin Council.
Power to Change is an independent charitable trust that supports and develops community businesses in England.
In developing The Gower Project plans, GHEF engaged with The Architectural Heritage Fund which is a registered charity, founded in 1976 to promote the conservation and sustainable re-use of historic buildings for the benefit of communities across the UK, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas.
The Gower Telford Project Prospectus (PDF)
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3z8zuqtb2a60ap7/gower_prospectus_V9%20copy.pdf?dl=0
The Gower Info Sheet 2021 (PDF)
https://thegowertelford.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/The-Gower-Info-Sheet-2021.pdf
Planning application: TWC/2021/0722 and TWC/2021/0724 consultation expires 19/08/2021.