Hams Hall, Coleshill, National Grid Control Room

Sar62 · Aug 9, 2009

Known about this place for a few years now, but never really thought about looking at it until recently, wondering if anyone knows anymore as to why it's now not in use, and when etc.
Here are some pictures from the outside;

RealHarlequin · Jul 4, 2023

Hams Hall RoundHouse

Originally built during the second world war. Was designed to take a direct bomb hit. It was the central control room for all the power station site substations – 11kV, 33kV, 132kV, 275kV & 400 kV, but only direct control of 'B' power station {A & C had their own. All the switching of the substations and control of B station output could be controlled from here under instruction from GECB Grid Control {West Heath) & MEB Area Contol (Summer Lane).

The building also housed Hams Hall B station Instrument Maintenance department (downstairs) and Birmingham Transmission District (then at Waterloo Road) had a workshop above.

With the closure of the Power Stations, the 132kV and lower voltage substations were no longer needed. The Supergrid Substations (275 & 400 kV) in Hams Lane became operated locally and the RounHouse became redundant. The building was made safe and just left as you saw. Now, following vandalism the building has been taken over by bats, and as such now protected, which is why no one can now visit it.

I am aware of this place, because at one time I was Control Engineer at Hams Hall B and later I worked in the metering & telecom section at Birmingham Transmission District.

BikinGlynn · Jul 4, 2023

RealHarlequin said:
Hams Hall RoundHouse

Originally built during the second world war. Was designed to take a direct bomb hit. It was the central control room for all the power station site substations – 11kV, 33kV, 132kV, 275kV & 400 kV, but only direct control of 'B' power station {A & C had their own. All the switching of the substations and control of B station output could be controlled from here under instruction from GECB Grid Control {West Heath) & MEB Area Contol (Summer Lane).

The building also housed Hams Hall B station Instrument Maintenance department (downstairs) and Birmingham Transmission District (then at Waterloo Road) had a workshop above.

With the closure of the Power Stations, the 132kV and lower voltage substations were no longer needed. The Supergrid Substations (275 & 400 kV) in Hams Lane became operated locally and the RounHouse became redundant. The building was made safe and just left as you saw. Now, following vandalism the building has been taken over by bats, and as such now protected, which is why no one can now visit it.

I am aware of this place, because at one time I was Control Engineer at Hams Hall B and later I worked in the metering & telecom section at Birmingham Transmission District.

interesting to hear from people with personal connections to a place, not sure if this one is still standing?

just googled & appears it is. Interesting as I dont think Iv seen another report from here

wolfism · Jul 4, 2023

BikinGlynn said:
interesting to hear from people with personal connections to a place, not sure if this one is still standing?

just googled & appears it is. Interesting as I dont think Iv seen another report from here

I remember a few folk visited maybe 10 or 12 years ago - one of my friends has some control room shots from Hams Hall which are stunning.

BikinGlynn · Jul 4, 2023

wolfism said:
I remember a few folk visited maybe 10 or 12 years ago - one of my friends has some control room shots from Hams Hall which are stunning.

yeah been googling its like a mini budapest, deff on my radar now

RealHarlequin · Aug 18, 2023

BikinGlynn said:
yeah been googling its like a mini budapest, deff on my radar now

Apparently off-limits to everyone now. The building was taken over by bats roosting so it has become protected.

Hayman · Aug 18, 2023

RealHarlequin said:
Apparently off-limits to everyone now. The building was taken over by bats roosting so it has become protected.

What is this 'holiness' about bats and where they have taken up residence? What have bats ever done for humans? Apart from create a complete horror film genre? Talk about speciesism!

BikinGlynn · Aug 18, 2023

Hayman said:
What is this 'holiness' about bats and where they have taken up residence? What have bats ever done for humans? Apart from create a complete horror film genre? Talk about speciesism!

Covid?

To be fair as u prob know I have respect for all wildlife but the laws are exactly the same for sched 1 birds & iv lost count of the amount of barn owls Iv disturbed when exploring.

Hayman · Aug 19, 2023

BikinGlynn said:
Covid?

To be fair as u prob know I have respect for all wildlife but the laws are exactly the same for sched 1 birds & iv lost count of the amount of barn owls Iv disturbed when exploring.

Animals - wild or domesticated - should not be maltreated, but the division between one species and another is purely a human one. Look at how rats and bats are so differently seen by the law. A photo of a man fishing yards away from a large crocodile in Australia has prompted demands that he should be fined for his behaviour; the crocs are now a protected species, resulting in a large increase in their numbers. But those same people demanding the man be fined for supposedly disturbing the croc would happily see cane toads killed by the score. Funny old world.

zombizza · Aug 21, 2023

saw on another forum that the panels and ceiling have been removed

BikinGlynn · Aug 22, 2023

zombizza said:
saw on another forum that the panels and ceiling have been removed

really, what do u mean the ceiling, has the glass rooflight gone?

zombizza · Aug 27, 2023

there was a post on 28 saying its been stripped and only has bats to see now!

Hams Hall, Coleshill, National Grid Control Room

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