‘Nightmare’ for pumping station allotment group in Wolverhampton
Allotment holders whose plots are next to a historic former pumping station in Wolverhampton are appealing for help, after claiming contractors removed part of a wall from the grade II listed building – leaving the site open to vandalism and theft.
Built in 1851, parts of the Goldthorn Hill Pumping Station in Blakenhall are jointly owned by Severn Trent and Western Power.
However Sally Green, who is chair of the Goldthorn Hill Pumping Station Allotment Society, claimed part of one wall had been removed in order to get machinery onto the site and replaced it with hardboard.
“This happened years ago and it has never been fixed – meaning the site is not secure,” she said.
“It has been repeatedly broken into and vandalised. Carvers donated 50 concrete posts and 50 gravel boards to us and the lot was stolen. Severn Trent had kindly allowed us to store some equipment on the site and that was taken as well. It’s an ongoing nightmare.
“The allotments were disused for decades and in April 2020 our volunteers cleared the site so the land could be brought back into use. Now it’s no longer safe.
“The pumping station hasn’t been used since the early 1900s and I’d like to see it brought back into use as a community centre or museum,” she added.
“We also have an application in with the council for repairs to the inner curtilage wall and are just waiting for feedback.
Severn Trent has now put in a planning application regarding the station’s retaining wall after it was found to be in need of repairs following recent inspections.
The site is now managed by the allotment society after it was handed over to them by the city council.
Councillor Paul Birch, who was instrumental in helping the society get up and running, said: “Both Severn Trent and the council have been very supportive of our allotment group, so we have both organisations to thank for their help in bringing the allotments back into full use.
“I stand down from the council in May 2023, and although I am mainly known for my work on saving the Seven Cornfields green belt from development, I am also working on helping the council find brownfield land in Blakenhall to build on.
“Inner city green spaces are vital, so I was delighted when the council supported my application to reopen the allotments after being closed for 60 years,” he added.
“We also have allotments at Goldthorn Park and together, these give allotment holders the opportunity to produce fruit and vegetables in abundance.
“They also help offset carbon and contribute positively to our environment and will be enjoyed now and by future generations.”
