Fresh lease of life proposed for historic building on Brymbo Steelworks

A historic building on the Brymbo Steelworks site could be given a fresh lease of life and converted into exhibition space under new proposals submitted to Wrexham Council.

In an application submitted to the local authority seeks permission to convert that the former machine house on the Brymbo Steelworks site, is converted to a multi-use facility – which would include exhibition space and business offices.

The building is a 1920s industrial building, described as being ‘nestled within a landscape of historic steel and iron works industrial buildings, structures and artefacts’.

Currently the building is used as an exhibition space for some fossils that have been excavated and forms the base for Brymbo Heritage Group. However the property is described within the application as ‘underused’, with the application submitted to Wrexham Council detailing wider plans on how the building could be enhanced.

A design and access statement submitted with the application, reads: “The proposal is to retain and restore as much of the existing character as possible.

“New openings will be formed within the existing locations where possible. The external fabric will be restored but retain its industrial character and quality. Where damaged or painted and in need of repair, it will be done in keeping with the existing building.

“Original industrial features will be left in situ for example, internal brickwork will be exposed wherever possible. A conditions survey will be carried out to determine the extent of the features that can be retained.”

The statement later adds: “The proposal is to bring the Machine Shop back into sustainable use, whilst taking care to preserve its industrial past and character. It will become the visitor welcome and interpretation centre which includes a reception point and heritage exhibition.

“The building will also support a heritage skills learning facility and workshop, flexible events/activities space, and provide a number of rentable office/workshop spaces.”

As part of the application it is also proposed that a new visitor car park is created for the site, with the current car park being used for staff as part of the redevelopment process. In total there will be 27 spaces and three disabled parking spaces on the site.

The application forms part of a wider regeneration plan for the Brymbo Steelworks site and heritage area. Last month Wrexham.com reported that a multi-million pound heritage initiative to regenerate the site was underway.

Over the years the Brymbo Steelworks site has been the subject to redevelopment proposals since its closure in 1990.

Formed by ex-workers and local history enthusiasts, Brymbo Heritage Group came together with landowners Brymbo Developments Ltd in 1994, to become the Brymbo Heritage Trust and develop a regeneration project for the site.

Aiming to be phased over a twenty-year period, the redevelopment proposals are seen to have the potential to bring a wide range of benefits to Wrexham in the long term. In particular, a tourism and heritage based vision after the discovery of the 300-million-year-old Brymbo Fossil Forest in 2004.

Earlier this year the project gained the support of Wrexham Council’s Executive Board, who unanimously agreed to support the Trust’s plans for the site – along with committing the support of council officers to the planned developments.

The application is expected to be considered by councillors at a later date.