Factory makes way for 285-home residential development

The demolition of a former plastics manufacturing facility has been completed, ready to make way for a Shropshire residential development.

The 183,000 sq ft Maxell factory site in Apley has lain empty since 2014, and will now be transformed into a 285-home development by Countryside Partnerships.

Charlton Gardens will feature two, three and four-bedroom homes with 71 properties already completed. 167 will be placed on the open market available under the Countryside brand, and 118 will be classed as affordable homes, available through Bromford. A total of 66 of these new homes will directly occupy the former factory’s footprint.

A children’s play area, flood attenuation areas and links to the A442 Queensway also form part of plans.

Much of the waste generated from the demolition will be recycled, with around 95% of the former factory’s concrete floor slab being crushed to provide certified aggregate, helping to reduce lorry movements by limiting the need to import material to the site and exporting any rubble.

Phil McHugh, managing director for the North West Midlands at Countryside Partnerships said: “The demolition of the Maxell factory is a major milestone for Charlton Gardens, clearing the way for 285 new homes that will provide high-quality living environments for many families in the region, who will be able to enjoy an exceptional lifestyle and a green outlook.

“This development has been designed to help its residents thrive, with great facilities such as a children’s play area, nature on its doorstep and excellent travel links, as well as improvements to make walking and cycling easier and safer.”

John McAuliffe, group managing director at McAuliffe Group, said: “As a local contractor, it’s been a privilege to work on another important brownfield project for Countryside.

“By partnering with the team at an early stage, we were able to manage materials in the most sustainable way possible – processing and enabling the onsite re-use of over 12,000 tonnes of aggregate. We’re now looking forward to seeing this old industrial site be transformed into a new community.”