Your Questions Answered
Our residents often have questions they wish to ask us. This section points you to pages of frequently asked questions related to the development and the services that we provide.
1. Why has Ironstone been created?
Situated within 2 miles of Telford (one of England’s fastest-growing urban centres) the expansion of Lawley will meet the increasing demand for new housing by creating a sustainable community with a clear character and sense of place. It will establish a safe, healthy and inclusive environment that will meet the needs of existing and future generations.
2. What affect will Ironstone have on traffic?
The new street pattern will incorporate a well connected network of streets with a better provision of public transport and will connect with cycle routes, footpaths, bridleways, to offer a greater choice of movement. Lawley Drive will be transformed from a through-route to a boulevard that will enhance Lawley as a gateway to both Telford and Ironbridge and continue a reduction in the current impact of traffic in the area.
3. How big will the development be?
Once completed the development will provide approximately 3,300 homes made up of a series of closely linked neighbourhoods with a flexible range and choice of dwellings.
4. What new amenities will be provided?
To support the residents of the 3,300 homes being built, the new neighbourhood will boast a new school plus leisure facilities and a commercial district for work and retail. The plan is to provide a completely sustainable community for the residents of Lawley that respects the surrounding landscape and reflects the best local examples of buildings and space.
5. Who is responsible for the development
The development of this ground-breaking scheme by the Ironstone Development Group which comprises a partnership between the UK’s largest house builders, namely Barratt Homes, Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes, working in close collaboration with Homes and Communities Agency and Telford and Wrekin Borough Council.
Working together as the Ironstone Developer Group, they are jointly developing a collection of four distinct and unique neighbourhoods, which will each bring its own character to Ironstone.
6. What is the current plan for the development?
Contractors have cleared the former open-cast mining area of Lawley to transform it into a £600 million development of 3,300 homes with offices, restaurants, bars, shops and a school. People have already moved into homes on part of the site. However, due to the current challenging economy, building work is still continuing but homes are being completed in line with current rate of sales.
7. Who is Homes and Communities Agency
Homes and Communities Agency is the national regeneration agency helping to support high quality sustainable growth in England. They act as the government’s specialist advisor on brownfield land and ensure that surplus land is used to support government initiatives, particularly the Sustainable Communities plan. For more information…
8. What sort of homes will be provided?
The outline planning application is for approximately 3,300 houses, in a range of dwelling types – terraced, semi detached and detached – from one to five bedroom, and a range of tenures, to ensure a mixed population and a diverse range of households in terms of age, income level and family size. In line with planning guidelines, it has been agreed that
25% of these will come under the category of ‘affordable housing’.
9. How can local people find out more about the plans for the site?
The Ironstone Developer Group has produced some literature that explains
more about the nature and scale of the development and sets out the benefits
to the local area. Information can be obtained from the Visitor Centre. For keeping in touch see Contact us.
10. Where will the pub/restaurant be located?
A pub/restaurant is envisaged within Lawley Village Square, the commercial phase at the heart of the scheme. As the Lawley Square design is still being developed, the exact location is yet to be determined.
11.Why does Lawley Drive have a 30mph speed limit?
The local Authority Highways Department required the design to include a 30mph speed limit. Eventually housing will be built along the entire length of Lawley Drive, which will become a boulevard through the development.
12. Are any areas to be developed for light industry?
The development is predominantly residential housing, with only Lawley Village Square having retail and commercial units.
FAQ’s – Ironstone Visitor Centre
What is the ‘Visitor Centre’ building going to be once the development is finished?
The Visitor Centre currently has planning consent for use only as a visitor centre/management office. However we intend to re-apply for change of use at some point during the course of the development and are currently considering what would be the most appropriate use of the many possibilities for such a fine building.
Suggestions from the community are most welcome.
Is the Steam Railway going to be extended to run into the Development?
The Telford Steam Railway Trust (TSR) is currently working on extending the line into the southern end of the development. Ironstone Development Group (IDG) is working with TSR to facilitate this work. TSR is looking to complete the line extension in 2009.
Are there going to be any apartments or bungalows equipped for the elderly or any specifically aimed at the over 50’s only?
It is currently intended to provide care home facilities within Phase 4 of the development – Lawley
Village Square.
Are there any leisure facilities being built?
There is approximately 64 acres of Public Open Space being provided within the development, including parks, play areas, cycle paths and walks. IDG is making substantial Section 106 contributions to finance local sports facilities; and within Lawley Village Square, the social heart of the development, there will be pubs and restaurants.
What kind of shops/restaurant are there going to be provided in the Village centre?
Within Lawley Village Square it is currently planned to include a supermarket, a hotel, pubs, restaurants, care home, medical facilities, offices and a range of small retail shops; however the actual retailers are yet to be determined.
When is Lawley Village Square due to be finished?
The square is due to be completed at the latest by November 2014. However we are aiming to complete the square well before this.
Is there going to be a bus station by the town centre?
The local bus routes are to be extended within the development from Telford town centre to both
North and South of the development. An interchange for the buses will be provided at Lawley
Square.
When will the roads be finished?
The primary infrastructure works i.e. Lawley Drive and West Centre Way will be complete in 2009.
How many social/affordable houses are to be built?
There are over 800 affordable/social-housing units to be provided throughout the development
i.e. 25% of the total development.
