Call to council on car park fears
Wednesday 21st May 2008, 11:50AM BST.
Residents have urged a council to listen to their concerns before forging ahead with controversial plans to build homes on part of the car park at a Telford theatre.
About 80 people packed Oakengates Theatre for a meeting over the plans for 17 apartments on the car park at the theatre at the junction of New Street and Slaney Street.
Telford & Wrekin councillor Hilda Rhodes had promised residents to hold a consultation exercise and at her surgery last night invited along the council’s property and assets manager Alan Fox.
And residents and traders turned out in force to raise their fears for the future of the town and theatre if the plans go ahead.
Many voiced concerns that it was not homes the town necessarily needed but retail, which would help to regenerate the town.
And although people wanted to get rid of the eyesore former Eades Engineering factory, which forms part of the site, they did not want to lose the 38 parking spaces.
Mr Fox said they had started looking at the idea of development about three years ago when the theatre was revamped.
He said they had wanted to revive the town and had recognised concerns about the former factory site.
Town councillor John Trafford said he did not see building homes on the car park as part of a regeneration. Former town councillor Les Tate said he strongly opposed any “dissipation” of the car park and shops were needed.
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