Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development is the ability of a region, area, locality (or building) to continue to exist and meet the needs of the local people, and the wider world, without creating problems for future generations.

Any visitor to Ironbridge can not miss the large “castle like”  building standing next to the Warfage and the main car park in the town. It was built in the mid 19th century by the Coalbrookdale Iron Company. This red and yellow bricked Gothic Style Victorian building acted as a warehouse for the company. Barges would unload on the river side and goods stored in the building. The position of the early rail tracks have been reconstructed by Telford Development Company when they renovated the derelict building before it became a museum.

There have been many changes to the building over the years. It has changed ownership and usage.

It may have remained derelict, after its use as a garage before the Second World War, had it not been for the growth of tourism. Today people have more free time and often more money to spend on days out and holidays. With Ironbridge becoming recognised as a World Heritage Site it is attracting many more visitors. Many, from abroad. It is now clearly on the “Historical Map of the World.” Over the last 30 years Ironbridge has changed, from a run down, dreary town to a far more attractive place to visit with a whole range of tourist facilities and attractions. Ironbridge is now generating income again like it did in the height of its industrial activity in the 18th and 19th Century.

Activity

A record of the sustainable use of the old Coalbrookdale warehouse

Look at the following list of descriptions, and match them with the dates below:

 

During this time O.D. Murphy used the warehouse as a mineral water works.

The warehouse was opened as “The Museum of the River”.

A Gothic style Victorian warehouse was built by the Coalbrookdale Iron Company. A Docking Basin for barges was constructed next to the river.

It was called the Severn Warehouse

The warehouse became Poole’s Garage, also selling bicycles and latter wedding car hire.

The museum, now called “The Museum of the Gorge” attracts many visitors each year and is helping to sustain the local economy.

The Warfage was turnpiked –goods could now load and unloaded easily.

Iron production was declining and the river transport for goods reduced.

TDC (Telford Development Corporation) took over the repair of the vacant warehouse.

The warehouse, still owned by the Coalbrookdale Iron Company is now not in use. It had become cheap to rent or buy.

Poole Garage has closed and the Severn Warehouse has became derelict and in need of repair.

Dates:
  • 1806
  • 1840’s
  • 1890’s
  • 1900
 
  •  
  • 1900 to 1920
  • 1920’s
  • 1960’s
 
  •  
  • 1970’s
  • 1980’s 
  • 2000’s   
 

The completed list shows that the Warfage building has survived and continues to benefit the local community. It has had sustainable development and usage over the last 160 years.

 

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