New sports hall plan for Thomas Telford University Technical College
A new sports hall and teaching block is to be built at the expanding Springfield Brewery education campus, under plans submitted to Wolverhampton Council.
The extension, which also includes proposals for an outdoor all-weather sports pitch and parking area, will form part of the existing Thomas Telford University Technical College (TT UTC) at the complex in Cambridge Street.
After acquiring the derelict 11.3-acre listed site in 2014, the university first began construction work on the current technical college, which opened its doors in 2016.
The college then became part of the Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust in 2019 and now has a capacity of 600 pupils aged 14-19.
Other projects already completed on the Springfield Brewery campus include the Elite Centre for Manufacturing and Skills opened in 2018, and the School of Architecture and the Built Environment of the University of Wolverhampton.
A statement in support of the application from David Green, director of Delta Planning, said: “The proposals for the site comprise an extension to the existing TT UTC campus site for the construction of a new classroom block, separate sports hall, outdoor all-weather sports pitch and a new area of car parking.
“The original UTC was built to support vocational learning for pupils aged 14 to 19 and does not include suitable accommodation to teach sport and drama.
“An extension to the existing school will enable the provision of such additional teaching spaces, which are currently lacking. Accommodating year groups 7-9 will result in an increase in pupil numbers by 450 to 1,050 overall, with a consequent increase in teaching and support staff.
“Part of the application site is currently used for play and sports pitches for the existing school. These facilities will be replaced as part of the development."
The site falls within the Springfield Brewery Conservation Area and is adjacent to its Grade II listed buildings and structures, which have now been largely redeveloped and incorporated as part of the adjoining education facilities.
Once completed, the campus will play host to education and training for people aged from 14 right up to senior professional level. Houses and aparments are also planned on some of the land.
The Springfield Brewery first opened in 1873 and operated on the site off Grimstone Street for more than 100 years until it finally ceased production in 1991.
Following the closure of the brewery by Mitchells and Butlers, the site was used as a distribution depot and a small micro-brewery.
Two major fires occurred within the brewery complex in August 2004 and August 2005, which severely damaged the block of buildings around the Brewhouse, although buildings to the east were not affected.
At its peak, Springfield Brewery was producing 1,500 barrels of beer a week and employing 900 people.
The application, which has been made by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure, will be discussed by Wolverhampton Council planners in the near future.
