Plans to turn part of Shrewsbury into a visitor hotspot will have to be delayed until the new unitary authority is established and hopefully authorises necessary funding for the project.

The Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust wants to develop the old Abbey Station as a visitor heritage centre but there is currently a lack of funding for the scheme.

But at a cabinet meeting last night, borough councillors agreed to transfer money already in the capital programme for the project to the unitary council.

Councillor Charles Armstrong said the best thing to do was carry over the funding for it so further down the line the new Shropshire Council could find a way forward for the project.

Councillor Miles Kenny, ward councillor, said: “It’s a great disappointment this did not come to fruition as it really would have done something for the area.”

He asked if money could be used to repoint and render the building but

Mr Armstrong said the area needed a long-term plan and not a “quick fix”.

Councillor Mansel Williams, a rail enthusiast, said the Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust was not successful in its bid for a community assets fund.

Councillor Peter Nutting, council leader, said: “Someone has to sit back and really see what can be done on this site.”

He said it was important to make clear to the Implementation Executive and new council that SABC had not made a decision on it.

Councillors agreed the Implementation Executive should be informed of the trust’s views that the development of the station should be part of a larger scheme to enhance the whole area around the Abbey.