Former Willenhall manor remains could be unearthed in archaeological dig

Willenhall History Society (WHS) believes remains of the former Leveson’s estate and the surrounding moat lie just beneath the surface on Moat Street.

The Leveson family is one of the oldest families in Willenhall who arrived as part of William the Conqueror’s army in 1066.

The Leveson home had gone by the turn of the 19th century, but the grounds and surrounding moat remained until the area was redeveloped in the late 1800s.

Jumping to present today, Moat Street, Villiers Street, New Hall Street, Stafford Street and Temple Bar are all part of a huge regeneration project called the Willenhall Masterplan, which will see 107 homes delivered across the area.

Outline planning permission was granted last year to demolish the remaining buildings across the site, most of them derelict and a hot spot for antisocial behaviour.

One of the conditions as part of the planning permission is to undertake an archaeological investigation.

WHS has welcomed the condition which could see treasures and artefacts unearthed, but say they are ‘holding their breath’ until the dig is actually carried out.

Ralph Jackson, vice chair of WHS, said: “The thing is, in the 1800s, they’ve got a tendency to just level the ground off and rebuild, which is partly what happened when they did the Morrison’s site when they found the old ruins of the school at the top of Doctors Piece.

“We think when they built here they just levelled off the ground and rebuilt. If they have, there’s a possibility that the old foundations of Leveson manor are still here under the ground, and we think it’s at the back of this building.”

Willenhall was mentioned in the Doomsday Book which dates back to the 11th century. In recent history, a Bronze Age tool called a palstave, was discovered in nearby Gomer Street indicating human activity.

WHS says there are currently no known images or architectural records of the estate, although it is documented as having ten hearths in the 1666 Hearth Tax return, making it the largest residential building in Willenhall at the time.

WHS member Jacqueline Read added: “Most people just assume that Willenhall started during the industrial revolution with locks. We want them to know we are much older than that. We are actually the oldest settlements in the area.

“I think it’s important for people to know where we started and be proud of where we started.

“Our biggest fear is that we suddenly come here one day and the bulldozers are here and they’ve already gone down too deep. We would be devastated. It would be tragic really, that we had lost that opportunity.”

Councillor Simran Cheema for Willenhall South added: “This isn’t an opportunity we will get again. This will instill pride in the younger generation for them to know the roots and foundations of Willenhall.

“We’d like the developer Keepmoat to showcase some of Willenhall’s past, its history, heritage and where it came from, in the new development.”

A council spokesperson said: “As part of the Willenhall Framework Plan, Moat Street and Villiers Street will be redeveloped in the first phase of the regeneration plans.

“Due to the historical importance of these sites and as part of the planning consent, there is a condition to undertake an archaeological investigation.

“The council will work with Keepmoat to ensure this condition is satisfied. Local groups will be informed of any updates, including timescales, to ensure that the legacy of the phase 1 site is maintained where possible.

“It is anticipated that the council will take possession of the site in May 2025, with survey works commencing shortly after.”