Councillor welcomes progress on future of former university campus

Conservative Councillor for Priorslee, Rachael Tyrrell, has welcomed progress in discussions over the future of the former University of Wolverhampton campus at Priorslee, while stressing that negotiations remain ongoing and commercially sensitive.

Cllr Tyrrell has been pressing for the site to remain focused on education, business and community use, and has also been advocating for the former Students’ Union bar and lounge to be brought back into use as a parish and community centre for the newly formed Priorslee Parish Council.

The Priorslee campus has been the subject of ongoing discussions involving the University of Wolverhampton, Harper Adams University and Telford & Wrekin Council.

While no final agreement has yet been reached, the emerging direction would see Harper Adams University acquire the main teaching blocks (SA, SB, SC), including the reception and coffee shop building, the former Business/Marches Growth Hub building, and the engineering block, along with the residential accommodation blocks.

Telford & Wrekin Council is understood to be looking at taking on the Grade II listed Priorslee Hall and the e-Innovation Centre.

Cllr Tyrrell said: “I am pleased to be able to share a positive update on the ongoing discussions about the future of the Priorslee campus, although I must stress that negotiations remain commercially sensitive and are subject to a Non-Disclosure Agreement.

“Terms have not yet been agreed between the parties, but the clear aim is to retain the site for education, business and community use. That is exactly what many residents have wanted to see, and it is what I have been pushing for throughout this process.”

Cllr Tyrrell has also welcomed the fact that the future of the former Students’ Union bar and lounge is now under serious consideration as a possible community facility.

She added: “For the last few years, I have been advocating for the former Students’ Union bar and lounge to be used as a community centre for Priorslee.

“With the creation of the new Priorslee Parish Council, I believe there is a real opportunity to secure a proper parish centre for local residents, and I am pleased that this is now being seriously considered.

“This would be a major step forward for Priorslee and could provide a much-needed community base for the area.”

Cllr Tyrrell said the project remains complex, partly because of the legal title arrangements across the site, including restrictive covenants and easements.

She continued: “This is not a simple site. It is contained within a number of legal titles and there are various restrictive covenants and easements that need to be worked through.

“There are also important considerations around the existing student cohort, with the University of Wolverhampton due to vacate the site in August and courses transferring to the Springfield Campus. Questions about specific courses should be directed to the university.”

Cllr Tyrrell said she would continue to represent residents’ concerns as discussions progress.

“Although no agreement has been finalised, it is encouraging that all parties appear to be working towards a future that keeps the site in productive use.”

“I will continue to speak up for Priorslee and push for the best possible outcome for this important local site.”