Stuart Crystal site 'can be saved'

The fire-ravaged Stuart Crystal building "can be saved", according to a report by specialist engineers released today.

There were fears the historic grade II-listed building in Wordsley may have to be demolished after a suspected arson attack hit the site last month.

But the owners today revealed that engineers found the building could still be saved – and that plans a new £5 million glass museum could go ahead as planned.

Director David Freer, from site owners Complex Development Projects, said the civil engineer hired to carry out the examination and report was a specialist in listed buildings.

"The report has now been released and there is no talk of demolition – in essence, the building can be saved," he said today.

"It states that with some careful work it can be restored, which of course is very good news."

Some high levels of the building will be demolished, but scaffolding will now be brought in to stabilise the bulk of the structure.

Mr Freer added: "This is not an easy task as the building is very dangerous at this time. It will be a very complex engineering feat."

He said the report had now been passed on to Dudley Council and they would have to await the response before a cost analysis could be completed.

Under plans the six listed buildings on the Stuart Crystal site would be transformed into a new glass museum with an underground link to the Red House Glass Cone.

The project has been overseen by the British Glass Foundation, who have vowed the fire would "not be a set back at all" and costs of the project would be unaffected.

The foundation has won the backing of national group The Glass Association since it launched in November 2010 to help steer the plans for a new museum.