Foundry site may be bulldozed for homes
The site of an historic Tipton foundry is set to be transformed into 121 homes, after production moved to India.
The site of an historic Tipton foundry is set to be transformed into 121 homes, after production moved to India.
Sigmacast Iron in Upper Church Lane, fell victim to the credit crunch last year.
It was announced then that 169 workers would lose their jobs at the Indian-owned factory, which made crankshafts. Now production has ceased and moved abroad there are plans to bulldoze the foundry, which dates back to 1936, and transform the whole site into a housing estate.
Birmingham-based property company Harris Lamb has submitted an application for outline planning permission for the 121 homes, which will be the first phase of development on the site.
In total the developer wants to construct 440 houses and apartments made up of a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes.
The 8.4 acre foundry site is surrounded by Upper Church Lane, Alexandra Road and Locarno Road.
The empty buildings at the site have been identified by Sandwell Council as a prime site for regeneration, with former industrial or "brownfields" sites favoured for housing developments ahead of green field sites.
The submission is for outline permission only, but the developers have assured the council that there will be a "significant amount" of green space.
A traffic assessment said that there would be no detrimental impact on roads.
It is also hoped that cash will be made available for community and sports facilities, with the possibility of a community open space around Tipton Brook.
Councillor Ian Jones, who represents the Tipton Green Ward, said there had been a mixed response to Sigmacast moving from the town.
He said: "Obviously losing jobs did hit the area hard, but there had been problems with Sigmacast over the years.
"Residents had been complaining for many years about issues such as dust and noise and there were even prosecutions," added Councillor Jones.
"The company had been something of a bad neighbour.
"Local people are delighted that plans for the redevelopment of the site have been put forward so quickly.
"They would much rather the site was brought back into use than watch it become a dilapidated eyesore."
