Six acres of land at Shrewsbury’s old livestock market site could bring in up to £5 million for the borough council if it is sold, it was claimed today.
Councillor Peter Nutting, leader of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, said the future of the land would need to be determined over the next 14 months in the run up to a unitary authority taking over the county.
The borough council owns the site in Harlescott, which Councillor Nutting says could be sold for at least £2 million, but could bring in up to £5 million.
But he said that the site could be taken over by a new town council when it is created for Shrewsbury.
Alternatively, Councillor Nutting said, the land could be handed over to the unitary authority.
Much of the old livestock market site was sold to Tesco in a deal worth more than £14 million.
But more land is still available.
Councillor Nutting added that the future of a “sizeable” amount of land in the Mousecroft Lane area would also need to be decided.
He said: “We still have a couple of major assets worth several millions of pounds.
“We have got to decide where they go and what happens to them in the future.”
Last week the council completed two vital deals for the town, which will contribute to major projects to regenerate its West End and River Severn areas.
It completed the £2.6 million sale of the town’s Barker Street car park and the £2.5 million sale of New Street nursery.
Once the sales were completed, it meant the council could put nearly £4 million towards the £12 million scheme to redevelop the Music Hall, with some of the £4 million coming from other deals.
Council officials also said that about £1 million would be put towards securing the future of the historic Rowley’s House.
And £600,000 would be used for a new road layout in St Austin’s Street and Bridge Street and enhancements at the Bridge Street car park.
Councillor Nutting said the council was also hoping to complete a deal for the sale of former Tesco land at Arlington Way by the end of February.
By John Kirk
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