The Gorge Parish Council

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Cottage Development

Squatters Cottage, Holywell Lane, Lightmoor Village

The cottage was built in 1794/5, at the same time as the adjacent short lived branch of the Shropshire Canal was constructed.  It was originally a single room (later identified as the living room / bedroom), but extensions added a kitchen and bathroom / washroom.

 

In the 1920’s the cottage was known as 8 The Stocking.  Vacant since 1963, the cottage was acquired by the former Dawley Development Corporation in 1965, as part of Stocking Farm.

 

The Holywell Lane squatter community cottages were demolished in the late 1970’s, leaving Squatters Cottage as “a rare and little altered example” of such a property. 

 

The cottage was surveyed by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum in 1985 and listed (Grade 2) in 1992.  The condition is noted as “very bad” and the risk (of losing the cottage) as “extreme”.  The Museum has an example of such a cottage; the value of Squatters Cottage is in situ – in the location next to the former canal and the historic lane.

 

In 1994, the Commission for the New Towns (CNT, the successor body to the Dawley and then Telford New Towns) worked with the Conservation Officer of the Wrekin Council. 

 

The main aim seems then to have been to make the building safe and to prevent further deterioration.  As the cottage is next to a public highway, there were concerns about public safety.  There has also been theft of materials and damage from vandalism, leading to CNT erecting a security fence around the cottage.

 

The cottage is within the area of Lightmoor Village – the 800 home sustainable development being promoted by the Joint Venture of the Homes and Communities Agency (themselves the successor body to CNT) and Bournville Village Trust.

 

The JV received outline planning approval in September 2003 for a phased development over many years.  There were no specific conditions about the old cottage but the JV has stated an intention to seek to retain the building and bring it into productive use if at all possible.  Suggestions have been made as to possible uses as a small visitor or interpretation centre or a community facility – possibly connected to a guided walk related to local history or the natural environment.

 

Woodlands Lane is closed to vehicular traffic but the cottage is accessible on foot down the lane.  The building is secured.  No-one should attempt to take entry without prior, specific approval from the owner (the HCA) and proper equipment and personal protection.

 

Kevin Webb BSc FRICS,

BVT Project Director for Lightmoor Village,

2nd February 2009.