AGENDA ITEM NO. 14
REPORT TO:
REPORT NO:
DATE:
LEAD OFFICER:
Executive Board
COLLC/30/04
14 th
December 2004
Chief Leisure, Libraries & Culture Officer
CONTACT OFFICER:
SUBJECT:
Hazel Hawarden (Ext 7440)
Bymbo Heritage Area
WARD: Brymbo
1.
PURPOSE OF THE REPORT
To seek members’ views on potential arrangements for the future transfer and management of the
Brymbo ‘Heritage Area’.
2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2.1
The report outlines proposals for the potential development of the Brymbo ‘heritage area’
(“the site”), part of the former Brymbo Steelworks site. The site is currently in the ownership of the development company, BDL, who have indicated that they would be willing to transfer ownership of all, or part of the site to the County Borough Council.
2.2
The report explains the historical and ecological significance of the site and what has survived, and outlines its’ potential for development as a recreational/cultural heritage facility to support the regeneration of the local community.
2.3 It is anticipated that a significant capital investment would be needed to develop the site for recreational/cultural purposes, and the potential reconsolidation and conversion of historic buildings and structures for alternative usage. The site would therefore need to be developed in such as way as to generate income or find a major partner so that it does not become an unsustainable burden to the Council and any ongoing revenue implications are kept to a minimum or if possible, at no cost to the authority. BDL has indicated that it would be willing to consider undertaking some of the development work directly and/or negotiating a
‘dowry’ to help offset the initial development and revenue costs.
RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1
That members authorise the Chief Leisure, Libraries & Culture Officer, in conjunction with the Strategic Director (Development) and the Chief Property Services Officer, to

2 negotiate terms for the Council to acquire the site identified as the ‘Brymbo heritage area’ (and to report back to members before further action is taken).
3.2
That members authorise the Chief Leisure, Libraries & Culture Officer to explore the range of potential options for the long-term management and operation of the heritage area.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS
To identify the terms on which the site known as the Brymbo Heritage Area might be made available for transfer into the ownership of the Council, and the range of possible options for long-term management and operation of the site for subsequent consideration by members. The development of a recreational/cultural facility based on the heritage of the former Steelworks would contribute to the
Wrexham Community Plan, the Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Strategy and support the regeneration of the local community.
Alan Watkin
Chief Leisure, Libraries & Culture Officer
4. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
4.1 Context
The site lies at the northern edge of the former Brymbo Steelworks, which closed in 1990.
The main part of the former steelworks site is currently in the initial stages of a major regeneration scheme, with plans for new housing, retail and community amenities e.g. school.
The heritage area is situated adjacent to the existing village of Brymbo and is strategically located at the interface between the old and planned new communities.
The ten-acre site is currently owned by the development company, BDL, and has been set aside from the main development scheme because of its heritage value and potential to make a significant contribution to the cultural, social and economic life of the community.
The Community Needs Analysis undertaken for the West Wrexham Urban II programme identified the following key conclusions specific to the Brymbo and Tanyfron communities: -

Brymbo and Tanyfron remain completed dominated by the legacy of the former steelworks, even though it closed some 14 years ago.

It is essential that a sense of social wellbeing be reintroduced into the community, bringing with it an improvement of facilities, work and social activity. There is widespread support for the provision of activities that encourage social and health improvement. (e.g. national statistics show that Brymbo has a high dependency on health benefits with an extra 5.52% of its population suffering long-term illness than those in the rest of Wrexham).

There is widespread support for the provision of local multi-purpose community facilities.
4.2
Significance of the Site
The underlying geology of sandstone, shale and coal measures underpinned the development of Brymbo as an industrial community for 200 years.

3
Brymbo Ironworks was first founded in the 1790’s by the famous ironmaster, John
Wilkinson. Following his death in 1808, Brymbo passed through various owners and operators. In the 1880’s an open-hearth steelworks was erected to the east of the Ironworks.
This was progressively enlarged to the southeast until final closure of the works in 1990. The ironworks remained in use as part of the complex and the heritage area retains structures and features of various dates, including the ‘old No. 1’ blast furnace, generally assumed to date from Wilkinson’s original construction of the works (although it may possibly be a rebuild of c.1820, which would be a rarer example).
Importantly, the spirit of innovation and engineering achievement at Brymbo did not die after
Wilkinson’s demise and continued to play its part in the industrial development of the nation.
Iron and steel were made at Brymbo for 200 years, with the last furnace being lit in 1976.
Brymbo provided iron and steel for the war efforts against the French in the late 18 th
/early
19 th centuries and both World Wars and was always at the forefront of pioneering technology, particularly Electric Arc Production.
In the years since the steelworks closed, Nature has taken over the ten acres or so of the site, and it has become a habitat for rare and protected newts and bats, and other species listed in the Wrexham Biodiversity Action Plan. Trees and shrubs have spread across the area and are of value for the shelter and feeding resource they provide wildlife. Botanical species have colonised the substrates and spoil mounds left behind by the previous industrial activity.
4.3
Current Position
The site embodies the working lives of several generations, the last of which is within living memory. Unless recorded and protected, this shared memory is in danger of being lost to a new generation of children, for whom the steelworks has become a symbol of dereliction rather than pride in their community.
Surviving buildings and structures include: the Blast Furnace, contemporary casting house, foundry and pattern makers shop (which are Scheduled monuments), Cupola Furnaces, a
Machine Shop constructed in the 1920’s and the former Blast Pits Engine House. The
‘Agent’s House’, which was strategically located to overlook the ironworks, is now a Grade
II* Listed building.
The surviving buildings are atmospheric spaces. However, unused since the steelworks closed, maintenance has been poor (or non-existent) and vandalism occurs. As a result, the condition of these buildings is variable and the site presents a number of hazards that would need to be addressed if public access were to be permitted. Two mine shafts survive adjacent to Blast Pits Engine House: these are not sealed and are a potential safety hazard and would need to be made safe. The underground workings are in the main flooded and groundwater surfaces within the Foundry at the entrance to an Adit. This would require investigation and arrangements for appropriate treatment and drainage.
The County Borough Museum and Archives Services hold collections of material, mainly saved at the time when the Steelworks closed. Material from these collections could be made available for display at Brymbo, if suitable facilities were developed.
A significant proportion of the heritage area has been enclosed by amphibian-proof fencing, and near the Blast Pits, a series of pools designed specifically to receive Great Crested Newts that have been relocated from the nearby Hot Pools.
4.4
Development Potential

4
4.4.1 In 2001, Wrexham County Borough Council, with funding support from the Welsh
Development Agency, commissioned a report by Donald Insall Associates. The purpose of the report was: -

To investigate the archaeological and ecological significance of the proposed
‘heritage area’ on the site of the former Brymbo Steelworks.

To undertake a building survey that would indicate the level of work and associated costs necessary to repair the scheduled and listed buildings.

To undertake an initial assessment of the potential for future development as a museum/visitor attraction based on the industrial heritage of the site.
The report concluded that: -

Brymbo Heritage Area is an internationally important remnant of the industrial revolution during the late 18 th
and 19 th
centuries.

The site has been colonised by endangered species (Lesser Horseshoe Bats and Great
Crested Newts) and the diversity of the habitat should be retained and protected.

Proposals for the site must react to and respect the Scheduled and Listed buildings and aim to support the regeneration of the village and community of Brymbo.

Further consideration should be given to long-term sustainable uses for the buildings.
A tourism/visitor attraction may not be economically viable and alternative usage for commercial, retail, social, educational or cultural purposes should be explored.

The existence of other industrial sites and attractions should be seen as the foundation for beneficial collaboration and as the basis for attracting a wider public and its potential as a learning resource.

Whatever usage may be found for the site, some level of public access and interpretation is considered vital.
Care will need to be taken to achieve a balance between conflicting demands of conserving rare and historic structures; conserving the habitat of protected species; demonstrating the site for public benefit and enjoyment; modern standards of health and safety; efficient use of buildings; and cost.
Any proposals for future development of the site must be designed to protect and enhance its historical and ecological importance and recognise that if the site is to be saved, a new and sustainable life for the buildings must be found.
4.4.2 An initial outline vision for the site has been developed, which is: -

To bring the site into public ownership.

To make the whole site safe and integrate within a landscape design and integrated management plan, taking the site’s archaeological and ecological importance as the starting point.

To form a network of access points to/from the existing village and into the new development areas to reintegrate the site physically and emotionally into the community.

Manage the wildlife habitats as a Local Nature Reserve, in a way that will maintain biodiversity and protect rare species.

Create an outdoor recreational facility for the local community that will encourage active lifestyles through walking, cycling, open access play etc.

Consolidate and repair historic buildings as complete structures with their own integrity and interpret/ make them available to the public.
4.5
Management & Operational Arrangements

5
The authority could consider managing and operating the site directly: for example, the proposed Local Nature Reserve and outdoor areas could be integrated with the existing network of country park facilities and managed by the Countryside Service, and the historic buildings and associated activities managed by the Heritage Service.
Alternatively, the authority could consider transferring the whole of the site and arrangements for its’ management and operation to another body (perhaps on a Charitable Trust basis).
There may be an opportunity to enter into a partnership with the proposed Brymbo
Community Enterprise Centre, which would be located adjacent to the heritage area on the former Coke Oven site, for shared facilities such as car park, reception, toilets, offices, displays, and a teaching space. This would help keep both the initial capital and any ongoing revenue costs to a minimum.
4.6 Summary of Proposals
4.6.1
To negotiate with the current landowner, BDL, with a view to establishing the terms on which the site might be transferred to the ownership of the Council.
4.6.2
To investigate possible options for the long-term management and operation of the site.
4.6.3
To report back to members on the outcome of the negotiations and possible options for long-term management and operation.
5.
CONSULTATION
5.1 The local member has been consulted and is supportive of the proposals.
5.2
A community consultation exercise will be undertaken to gauge the level of public support for the proposals and to ensure they are responsive to identified public needs.
6. SCRUTINY COMMITTEE COMMENTS
6.1 None
7 IMPLICATIONS
7.1 Policy Framework The Wrexham County Borough Community Plan ‘Wrexham
Refreshed’, recognises the need to respect the area’s unique culture and heritage. Initial work for the development of a Heritage Strategy for the County Borough has identified the rich variety of the County Borough’s industrial heritage as a key feature of its cultural distinctiveness.
The County Borough Tourism Strategy wishes to encourage attractions that bring significant visitor numbers and staying visitors to the County Borough but discourages new attractions that would duplicate or cause displacement from existing attractions. Brymbo Heritage Area offers the opportunity to build upon and strengthen the County Borough’s existing network of industrial heritage facilities.
Brymbo lies at the heart of the West Wrexham Urban II regeneration area.
7.2 Budget A significant capital investment will be required to secure the future of the site and to enable it to achieve its maximum potential. Donald Insall Associates estimated (2001) that

6
1. essential repair works to the remaining buildings and structures would cost in the region of
£350,000. The cost of subsequent reconsolidation and conversion of the buildings for alternative usage would require an investment of several million pounds. An initial indicative cost estimate for the development of the Local Nature Reserve is in the region of £60,000.
The site will need to be developed in such as way as to generate income or find a major partner so that it does not become an unsustainable burden to the Council. BDL has indicated that it would be willing to consider undertaking some of the development work directly and/or negotiating a ‘dowry’ to help offset the initial development and ongoing revenue costs.
There are a number of potential external funding sources that might be available to assist with the capital development costs, for example the Physical Regeneration Fund, the West
Wrexham Urban II scheme; CADW: Welsh Historic Monuments; the Lottery.
The ongoing revenue costs are more difficult to quantify at this stage, but are estimated at current prices to be in the region of £50,000 per annum, excluding the development of the historic buildings for alternative usage.
4.1
Legal If the terms are acceptable, then legal arrangements would be required for a formal transfer of ownership from BDL to the Council.
7.4 Staffing If the site is developed, then there would need to be provision for adequate supervision and maintenance, and to deliver a programme of educational activities and events about the history and ecology of the site. This would require an equivalent of at least two fulltime staff.
8. EVALUATION OF OPTIONS
8.1
Option 1 The Council decides not to acquire the site. Risk that the site will continue to deteriorate and remain an area of dereliction at the heart of the existing and new communities.
8.2 Option 2 Negotiate terms for the transfer of part of the available site, namely sufficient land to create a Local Nature Reserve and provide outdoor recreational facilities.
8.2
Option 3 As Option 2 above, plus negotiate terms for the transfer of all of the site, including buildings and structure, with a view to consolidation/repair for limited public access and interpretation.
8.4 Option 4 As Option 3 above but with a view to conversion of the buildings, where appropriate, for long-term sustainable usage.
BACKGROUND PAPERS LOCATION WEBSITE INFO.