One of Shrewsbury’s main town centre car parks has been sold in a £2million deal after a decision made by councillors behind closed doors.
The controversial deal to sell the Barker Street site to Morris Property paves the way for the major redevelopment of the town’s West End – which could include a new hotel.
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council assistant chief executive Andy Goldsmith today quashed fears that the timber framed 16th century Rowley’s House is included in the deal.
He said: “The Barker Street car park is sold subject to contract. That was the decision taken by cabinet members last week.
“The deciding factor was that it had gone on the market and we have a design brief for the West End regeneration.
“This deal had all the factors we asked for in the design brief.”
Mr Goldsmith said the scheme would lead to a new road layout in the area after the car park is handed over on July 1.
“Rowley’s House is not included in the sale and the immediate surroundings are also not included in the sale.
“It will be a mixed scheme of residential, commercial and have the potential for a new hotel to be built on the site.
“We had the initial submission by the interested party which met all of our requirements,” added the assistant chief executive.”
He said the deal was approved during the exempt part of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council’s cabinet meeting.
Cabinet member Councillor Charles Armstrong said Morris Property had offered a “considerably larger sum” than anyone else for the site.
He said: “The important thing as well is that it is an unconditional offer.
“There will be a lot of archaeology to take into consideration there at a great expense.”
Morris Property bid for the car park and Rowley’s House last year when the pair went on the market for £2million.
The company planned to redevelop Rowley’s House into a hotel and restaurant, alongside 30 new homes and a new convenience store.
The council, however, took the Grade II listed former museum off the market after a public outcry at its sale.
Robin Morris, from Morris Property, today said: “It is our intention, subject to the necessary planning consent, for this to be a mixed use scheme of retail and residential.
“We now look forward to meeting with the council and taking this project forward.”
By Andy Robbins
See Also:
13 Comments
I THINK IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT THEY HAVE SOLD THIS CARPARK. CARPARKING SPACES IN THE TOWN CENTRE ARE SCARCE ENOUGH AS IT IS ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS NEW THEATRE IS BUILT. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN THOUGHT THROUGH ALOT MORE. ANOTHER HOTEL???? WHATS THE POINT WE HAVE SO MANY HOTELS AND B&B’S IN AND AROUND SHREWSBURY.
Report abuse
That’s exactly the point, Shaun! Parking must be limited: leave the car at home – park and ride, walk, cycle or use a horse.
Report abuse
Things to remember. They want to control the car in Shrewsbury. One less car park means more ‘proof’ that the town is congested. They will ‘encourage’ people to use the park and ride. Selling the site brings in more money than a car park. Having a hotel/shops will also bring in more money than a car park. Facilities for motorists? Apparently, not that important.
Report abuse
Facilities for motorists, Pete? There’s no need to “motor” around the centre of Shrewsbury. It should be pedestrianized in its entirity, save for emergency access.
Report abuse
Can H.St.P. not see any further than the end of his nose? Living ten miles out of Shrewsbury how would I get there in the evening? Park & ride – not running, walk or cycle – I am 76, by horse – where would I stable it. Havinng read his previous comments, I think the man must either be thick, or a stirrer with a big wooden spoon!!
Report abuse
good point there pete but they may have sold the car park for 2 million but will we see any evidence of the way its sent??? no i doubt it very much it just goes to line all the big bosses pockets!
Report abuse
Total agreement with Harold St. John Peasbody on this one – pedestrianise the town within the river loop. I live some miles distant from the town but parking at frankwell is excellent, and the town centre and us shoppers can only benefit from removing traffic!
more hotels = more tourists & businesspeople = more investment into our town.
Report abuse
They would sell the last crumb from your Grans mouth to make a buck or two !! Even the US isn’t this capitalist obsessed !!!!
Report abuse
Parking at Frankwell excellent? even when it is flooded?
Report abuse
Parking at frankwell maybe good, but I would not like to purchase a heavy bulky item such as a TV as can be purchased in the town and then carry it over to frankwell, as it stands I can buy such an item, collect my car and pick it up. If the town were pedestrianised this would not be possible and thus result in lost trade for some retailers in the town as people would take their business to out of town retail parks. End result = shops closing down in the town.
Report abuse
If you pedestrianise the town within the river loop, you are sounding a death knell. Shrewsbury will become a theme park, available to those able to walk, to those who have the time to take their time. An exception will be made for ‘public’ transport, but do these run when you need them? Take a step back in time, to when your life was controlled by others timetables. To when you didn’t have the capability or wherewithal to exercise your freedom of choice. Question them when they say that it’s a ‘greener’ option, to cut down on polluting greenhouse gases. The biggest polluter of Mother Earth is Mother Earth herself.
Selling off the car park for hotels or housing isn’t for the greater good of the community, it’s business. People are in business to make money for themselves and their shareholders. Nothing wrong with that, just remember that it takes away amenities from the townspeople.
Report abuse
I dont agree, the council are talking of bringing in congestion charges and now taking away yet another car park. more houses are being built which means more cars and where are they going to park if car parks are disappearing.
Report abuse
This car park was sold off without any consultation with the very people who pay the wages of this council, it again demonstrates the contempt they show for the people of Shrewsbury as thay have done with the Northern Relief road and the congestion charging proposals.
The reduction of parking capacity allied with the spaces lost when the gin palace was erected in frankwell will increase pressure on local residential streets which are already bursting at the seams with cars left during the day by people unwilling to use park and ride or too tight to pay for parking, ironically many are employees of the councill who cannot park at the office in Frankwell. Surely if they were serious about reducing vehicle traffic in the town an alternative site for that would have been a start.
Report abuse