Submitted artists' impressions of new Southwater development.

Plans to move Telford & Wrekin Council staff into “luxurious” new headquarters at the centre of the proposed £250 million Southwater development in the town have been criticised by a senior councillor.

Chiefs announced last week Southwater would be the site for the new offices. The current site has been sold to supermarket chain Asda after planning permission was granted for a 44,000 sq ft store, 500 parking spaces and a petrol station there.

But Tawpa councillor Denis Allen has attacked the move as unnecessary.

He said: “This council is proposing to spend millions of taxpayers’ money moving its bureaucrats 300 yards from a perfectly adequate building with more than 300 parking spaces to a luxurious office building with 75 spaces.

“This will have absolutely no benefits for the taxpayer and it would appear that this council does not care for the people of Telford at all. The council is only concerned with its own comfort and ego.

“Why should the poor taxpayer face a huge tax burden for many years when this expenditure has no benefit for the people paying for it?”

But Telford & Wrekin Council leader, Councillor Andrew Eade, said the claims were “nonsense” and that Councillor Allen did not understand the “reality” of the scheme.

“The current civic offices site requires significant investment,” he said.

“Telford & Wrekin Council needs a building that is fit for local government in the 21st century. The new offices will be flexible, cheaper to run and provide a modern work environment with space to incorporate other businesses and public sector organisations.

“The planned civic offices will be the spark that ignites the Southwater development, which is absolutely key to the regeneration of the town centre to create new businesses and jobs and breathe new life into the heart of Telford.

“Southwater will become a real focal point for the borough and will drive footfall by concentrating services, major leisure facilities and people in this key area to create a living town centre.”

The £250 million project would see bars and restaurants built as well as a hotel, an extended International Centre and improved ice rink, offices and meeting facilities and library.

By Wayne Beese