£25m redevelopment plans revealed for historic former ironworks site

A new vision for the former site of the Elsecar Ironworks has been unveiled, including a heritage railway, a rail college, outdoor events area and more.

Plans for the historic site, now a scheduled ancient monument, have been developed over the last two years.

They include:

• A heritage railway destination, including a reconstructed 1849 Fitzwilliam locomotive, powered by sustainable fuels.
• New rail college and rail technology test track, training more than 400 students each year.
• Advanced engineering workshops showcasing the region’s innovation.
• A “Cultural Canteen” and outdoor events and performance area.
• Active Travel Hub and Cycle Hire, to enable families and visitors to travel to Elsecar and explore its surroundings on foot and by bike.

The site is on the east side of the Elsecar Heritage Centre and its major indoor events space, which is being refurbished with funding already secured from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, through the Cultural Development Fund administered by Arts Council England.

Designs for new buildings for the ironworks site have been inspired by the Victorian furnace sheds which originally stood there.

They will replace a replica station built in the 1990s, when the importance of the ironworks was not understood and the condition of which is deteriorating.

Funding options are being explored for the development, which is expected to cost around £25m in total. The project may be progressed in stages as funding becomes available.

Councillor Sir Stephen Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, said: “We’re determined to transform this remarkable historic site, previously the home of Elsecar Heritage Railway, into something which is unique, sustainable, and will thrive long into the future.

“This will include a new heritage railway destination, a rail college, advanced engineering workshops, outdoor performance and events area, public spaces, a café-restaurant and more.

“The redevelopment of the Ironworks site and heritage railway will not happen straight away.

“We need to secure funding and it will take time to deliver, but this vision is the starting point for something very special for Elsecar.”