Campaigners who have been battling to save Shifnal’s historic magistrates court building from the bulldozers are celebrating after plans to demolish it were thrown out.

The group has been trying to save the Shrewsbury Road building since plans to replace it with low-cost housing were proposed by the town council.

But the crumbling 165-year-old building has now been saved after Bridgnorth district councillors last night voted to leave it standing. The meeting was attended by 10 of the campaigners who applauded the decision.

Six councillors voted to support planning officers’ recommendations to refuse demolition it. Three voted in favour of the proposal.

Campaigner Dawn Bithell, who organised a 1,000-name petition to save the building, said she was thrilled, adding the group would work on trying to restore it to its former glory.

“I’m feeling fabulous,” she said. “This is fantastic news for the people of Shifnal. “We were worried with some of the comments that were made, but we’ve got to get the council to do something with it now. We’ll start applying for lottery grants and then see how it goes.”

Councillor Colin Taylor said during the debate that it would be detrimental to the town’s heritage if the building was knocked down.

But Councillor George Lee said it did not contribute to the town and voted for it to be knocked down. 

“Something could be built in its place that would serve the people of Shifnal much better,” he said.