Image of the red kite logoHorsehay Pool is a much-loved local green space that is popular with locals and great for wildlife. We are keen to hear how you use the space and what you think about our three proposals to safeguard its future.

Following on from the consultation Red Kite will work the feedback into a final site master plan which will ensure work can begin to improve the pool.

  • Consultation is now closed.

Overview

In January 2020 Telford & Wrekin Council commissioned Red Kite Network Limited, of Coalport, Telford to develop a whole site management plan for Horsehay pool.

Horsehay Pool is located within the Horsehay Conservation Area and is a regionally significant historical site and a Telford & Wrekin Council Green Guarantee Site.

The pool was constructed to power the steam engines for the nearby Ironworks owned by Abraham Darby II between the years of 1754 - 1757. The adjacent railway line linked these ironworks with The Gorge and the wider area.

The plan has been developed to bring together all interested parties to create a holistic plan for the maintenance of the whole site, to include ecology, visitor access, angling, water levels and maintenance of historic features.

To develop the plan Red Kite spoke to many organisations and individuals to obtain site history, site usage and future aspirations. These organisations and individual are:

  • Telford & Wrekin Council
  • Dawley Hamlets Parish Council
  • Friends of Horsehay Pool
  • Telford Angling Association
  • Telford Steam Railway Trust
  • local residents.

The plan will be used as the basis for securing external funding to deliver the plan.

Red Kite and Telford & Wrekin Council are now seeking comments on the plan and the future vision for the maintenance and development of the site.

At the end of the plan are three proposed maintenance and development options for the pool and its environment, including the open space on Bridge Road to the south of the pool. 

Last updated : 13 September 2024

Last year, we undertook a consultation that sought people's view on a vision document which set out various options for the future of Horsehay Pool. 

This wonderfully biodiverse green space is much loved by local residents and popular with anglers too, and we were keen to hear everyone's thoughts on the options presented. 

We recieved 155 responses to the consulation and would like to thank everyone who took part. 

Feedback from this consultation has now helped us to create a plan, setting out proposals for how we can protect and enhance the area for the future. 

Funding has been secured from Dawley Hamlets Parish Council for a scheme along Bridge Road (number 4 on the Horsehay Pool proposal summary). Funding for a 'pocket park' at the North end of the pool (numbered 1 and 2 on the Horsehay Pool proposal summary) has been raised by the Friends of Horsehay Pool. Both of these projects will now start at the earliest opportunity. 

Other actions in the propsed plan will be progressed on a project-by-project basis, with an ongoing focus on community and stakeholder engagement. 

Please note: we are currenlty awaiting confirmation of the start date and extent of Severn Trent's planned decontamination works, details of which will enable us to mitigate their potential impact on our plans for this important asset. We are taking all possible steps to move this forward as quickly as possible. 

Download the Horsehay Pool Management Plan - 2022 (.pdf Size: 6542Kb)  

Download the Horsehay Pool Proposal Summery Plan - 2022 (.pdf Size: 1271Kb)

Last updated : 13 September 2024