Harworth: helping turn a former power station into a new community

From industrial landmark to long-term regeneration

Ironbridge Power Station was one of Shropshire’s most recognisable industrial landmarks. Its closure marked the start of a complex and emotional transition for the local area.

This was not a simple development story. The site carried history, local pride and strong public interest. The challenge was to keep communication open and trusted as the power station moved from final operation, through closure and sale, and into a new future as Benthall Grange.

Our role was to help make that journey clear. Local residents, councillors, interest groups, stakeholders and the media all needed timely information, honest answers and a route into the process.

Keeping people informed through every stage

We began by working alongside Uniper during the closure and sale process, acting as a link between the company, the local community and the media. When Harworth took ownership, our role developed into a wider community consultation and stakeholder engagement programme for the site’s regeneration.

For more than five years, we supported the project by:

Building trusted relationships with local residents, councillors and interest groups.
Managing community consultation to support a successful planning application for new homes and a retirement village.
Providing clear and responsive communication channels for public enquiries.
Supporting major media moments, including the demolition of the cooling towers, which drew national attention and thousands of onlookers.
Keeping messaging consistent and transparent as the site moved from industrial use towards a new neighbourhood.

Ironbridge-Power-Station-June-2018-1280x800

A new community shaped by dialogue

The former Ironbridge Power Station site is now being transformed into Benthall Grange, a mixed-use community with new homes, green spaces and a retirement village in a riverside setting.

The project shows how good communication can support complex regeneration. By keeping people informed, listening properly and responding clearly, the consultation process helped maintain trust through a period of major change.

For Macbeth Lankester, this is a strong example of planning communications at its best. Not just promoting a development, but helping people understand what is happening, why it matters and how they can have a say.

What people are saying

“Operating across EMEA presents remarkable opportunities, yet it also entails the challenge of delivering consistent communication to diverse markets. MacbethLankester demonstrates a deep understanding of multi-country B2B marketing, enabling us to articulate a cohesive MiTek narrative while honouring local nuances and customer requirements. Their expertise has played a pivotal role in enhancing our brand positioning and fostering enduring client relationships throughout the region.”

Hennie Viljoen , EMEA Marketing Manager, MiTek
“My team and I had the pleasure of working with Alex and his team for many years. We could always count on them and their results. No matter the topic, they constantly delivered superb results for our websites and many more publications. Beyond that, their team are a true joy to work with.”

Julia Dietlinger , BayWa r.e Team Lead Web & Applications
“We’re incredibly proud of the work we do to champion construction across the South West. With Macbeth Lankester’s marketing expertise, we can focus our time on what matters most — supporting our members, delivering valuable events, while ensuring our insight and impact are shared more widely across the sector.”

Kevin Harris , CEO of CESW
“Macbeth Lankester were instrumental in Bellrock’s repositioning and brand refresh, bringing deep sector insight, pragmatic marcomms expertise and a genuinely collaborative approach. Working as an extension of our team, they helped us to clarify our story, elevate our content and engage with customers more meaningfully during a critical period of growth.”

Gemma Williams , Head of Marketing and Communications, Bellrock Group
“I’ve worked with Macbeth Lankester across both John Rowan and Partners and Bellrock Consulting, and they’ve been a constant source of strategic insight and creative energy.

Their ability to think ahead, adapt quickly, and bring clarity to complex messages has made them a genuinely valued part of the team. They don’t just deliver great communications — they help shape the direction of the business.”

Gurpal Virdee , Managing Director, Bellrock Consulting
“I’ve worked with Macbeth Lankester for ten years, and in that time they’ve become much more than a PR and marketing agency, they’ve been genuine partners, helping to shape the John Rowan and Partners brand and helping us stand out in a competitive London market. From award wins and national coverage to creative campaigns and personal brand development, their support has been first-class.”

Mash Halai , Chairman, John Rowan and Partners