Major heritage project takes important step forward

Plans for a major heritage project and visitor attraction for Brymbo, near Wrexham, have been safeguarded following an agreement between the site owner and a local community regeneration charity. The scheme forms part of a wider regeneration of the former British Steelworks operation.Brymbo Developments (BDL) and Brymbo Heritage Trust (BHT) have signed heads of terms on a 25-year lease over a 65-acre site.BHT will operate the plot and provide restoration works and projects, which will preserve and celebrate Brymbo’s industrial past, conserve a 300-million-year-old fossil forest and provide an area for community events, activities and all-age learning.The agreement is considered to be a significant step in facilitating £10m of direct investment into community-led heritage in Brymbo, the majority of which is awarded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund.The former steelworks site and 440 acres of surrounding land was acquired by BDL in 1994, following its closure in 1990, and has since formed part of a “viable and sustainable proposal” to bring forward “vital” community infrastructure.The heritage project forms part of Brymbo Park, a wider regeneration of the former British Steelworks site at Brymbo.In addition to the proposed 450 homes, it will also comprise a 425-place primary school, a foodstore with ancillary retail, a medical centre, village pub/restaurant, children’s play areas, landscaping and public open space.Ian Bancroft, chief executive of Wrexham Council, said: “It is great to see the coming together of partners to make this project a reality.”As a council we have worked hard to ensure the foundations have been laid for a successful and sustainable future and local councillors and the community council have been key to achieving this.”Nick Amyes, chair of BHT’s Board of Trustees, added: “This is fantastic news for everyone in Brymbo, giving us the commitment that will allow our community’s story to be told proudly for generations to come.”We’d like to extend our thanks to everyone involved in arriving at this milestone, and look forward to welcoming residents, volunteers, learners, performers and visitors to our enjoy our wonderful heritage.”James Cannon, head of property for BDL, said: “It has always been the intention of the Cornes Family and BDL to ensure that the some of the land for the former Brymbo Steel Works would be gifted to the community to preserve the site’s heritage and to ensure that there is access for the local community.”The Heads of Terms agreed with BHT allow for both those aims and we look forward to working with BHT to deliver this lease.”Stantec (formerly Barton Willmore) is advising BDL on the planning, while Knight Frank has been appointed as agent on the entire scheme. Grice Collins Long is acting as leasing agent on the supermarket, retail and pub.