We REJECT the Council’s plan for The Gower. GHEF remains committed to re-establishing The Gower building as an asset to the community.

GHEF remains committed to re-establishing The Gower building as an asset to the community. Its grounds retained as a vital green space and valuable community resource. We REJECT the Council’s plan for The Gower.

With Telford & Wrekin’s planning committee likely to consider the plans for The Gower in the coming weeks, the building’s future will be determined by what happens between then and now! We encourage everyone to OBJECT, PERSUADE and ATTEND.

OBJECT

Objecting to planning applications

The written word remains an effective means of influencing decision makers.  Expressing your objection in the form of a letter or email will help decision makers give due consideration to the needs of local residents.

We have drafted an outline text that can be used as the basis of an e-mail or letter to the council’s planning officer. We have also identified some key grounds for objecting to planning applications. 

 

PERSUADE

It is very likely people you know will support our vision for The Gower. Talk to as many people you can about the imminent threat from the council’s plans. It’s important that they OBJECT, PERSUADE and ATTEND too.

Social media can make it easy to reach more people. The Gower has it’s own page on Facebook and a Twitter account. Please consider share our messages to your circles.

Our local councillors will appreciate being copied in to any objection letter or email sent to the planning officer. Stress their need to exert maximum influence on the decision for the benefit of local residents.

 

ATTEND

The when the Council’s planning committee will consider plans for The Gower is uncertain. The committee meets on the 3rd Wednesday each month at 6pm and it’s agenda revealed a few days prior to the meeting. Be prepared to attend on 17th November. They take place at AFC Telford United, New Bucks Stadium, Wellington TF1 2TU.

Register to Speak

Making a short and to the point statement to the committee can be impactful. It is an opportunity to emphasise key issues members should consider and highlight the likely consequences the proposals will have for you and the local population, both in the short term and in the future.

If you wish to speak at the Planning Committee you need to register your interest to the Democratic Services team, no later than 5pm, two working days before the meeting:

Telephone: 01952 383205
Email: PublicSpeaking@telford.gov.uk

By letter to:

Democratic Services
Telford & Wrekin Council
Addenbrooke House
Ironmasters Way
Telford
TF3 4NT

Priority for public access to the meeting room will be given to those who have registered to speak on an application to be considered at the meeting. If there are spaces remaining in the public gallery after the registered speakers have been seated, then these seats will be offered to the public on a first come, first served basis, however, capacity is limited. Should there be more registered speakers than the capacity of the room allows, you will be provided with an estimated time slot for your application. Please wait outside of the venue until you are called in to speak. Registered speakers may need to leave the venue following their chance to speak to allow further speakers access to the venue.

Register to speak at the Planning Committee


Object to the planning applications

You may recall . . .

. . . that the building was originally built as a hospital by the Lilleshall Company who realised that a facility like this was needed for the wellbeing of its employees. However, things change and a smaller Cottage Hospital was built just a hundred yards away on Albion Street which provided local health care for some years. The Gower building was purchased from the Lilleshall Company to become a school known as Wrockwardine Wood Junior School. It provided education and learning to local children until it closed in 1961. The building continued to serve young people in St Georges and neighbouring districts when it was utilised as a Youth Centre and local venue, much loved throughout the community.

Join the Street Team

Contact Lynne on 07985 398600 to get active in securing the future of our iconic building.

What success looks like

On the grounds:

  • Children’s Play Park
  • Open green space
  • Allotment
  • Man Shed
  • Sensory Garden

Within the building:

  • Full operational community facility
  • Work from home space
  • Cafeteria
  • Rooms for hire
  • Wellbeing and Drop in services
    • Library
    • Health
  • Training opportunities
  • P/F Time employment