Wolverhampton canalside foundry site set for revival

The old Crane Foundry site, between Birmingham canal and the main railway line, has been bought by the Canal and River Trust and will be transformed into new homes, shops and offices under plans now being worked out with Wolverhampton council.

It will bring nearly four acres of canalside wasteland back into use after almost a decade. The foundry, which could trace its history on the site back to 1827, went out of business in February 2006.

But the new owners have warned that a revival for the site 'won't happen overnight'.

Cheryl Blount-Powell, development manager for the Canal and River Trust, said: "It may stay as it is for another couple of years while plans are worked up. I am not sure what the timescale will be eventually."

The site runs alongside the canal, while part of it extends underneath the viaduct bearing the main railway line.

After nearly 200 years of heavy industrial use, the site is likely to need major clean-up work to make it useable for housing. The derelict foundry building is likely to be demolished – Ms Blount-Powell said: "It isn't part of our plans to retain it."

She said the trust would be working closely with the council to draw up plans that would see the 3.7 acre site become part of the Canalside Quarter currently under development.

A private-sector developer will eventually be brought in to redevelop the site, possibly working in a joint-venture with the trust, she said.

Ms Blount-Powell added: "Our vision is that living waterways transform places and enrich lives. The Crane Foundry site is a prime example of the kind of underutilised canalside site, the regeneration of which will help to enrich both the surrounding location and the UK's waterway network."

The acquisition of the site is part of the Canal and River Trust's strategy of buying up freehold land in regeneration areas close to waterways, to enhance the land beside the UK's increasingly popular canal network.

Although the price is not being revealed, it is the first significant site to be acquired by the trust in the last few years from a dedicated fund committed to buying up canalside development and regeneration sites.

Property adviser Bilfinger GVA worked with the trust on the deal.

Mark Birks, director in the land and development team at Bilfinger GVA, said: "This former industrial site represents an important regeneration opportunity for Wolverhampton and with 250 metres open to the canal, perfectly dovetails with the Canal and River Trust's objectives for the regeneration of waterside locations."

Wolverhampton council's economy chief, Councillor John Reynolds, added: "We welcome this investment and potential regeneration of what we anticipate will be a key growth area. The delivery of a mixed use development will be invaluable in contributing to our masterplan for the redevelopment of the city.

"We fully support the Canal and River Trust in its ambition to drive the regeneration of canalside locations such as this and look forward to working with the trust on the plans for the new site."

The Canal and River Trust was set up to look after the waterways of England and Wales and is looking for more volunteers to do their bit to keep their local canals a special place. Volunteers help with all aspects of its work and jobs available range from otter-spotters to heritage advisors.

The Crane Foundry originally had its own canal basin. It was originally known as Atherton's Foundry and run by James Atherton and Henry Crane.

It began as a brass foundry, but by 1827 iron castings were also being produced on the site. By 1836 Mr Crane had taken control of the business and it became known as the Crane Foundry in 1847 with its own registered trademark.

By the 1850s iron weights were produced and, at its height, the foundry had 150 employees. In the early 1900s the foundry began to produce castings for electric motors and continued to do so throughout its life. The Crane family controlled the company until 1917 and in 1945 Josiah Parkes and Sons sold the foundry to Qualcast.