Sides square up for battle over Shrewsbury shop frontage
A public inquiry could be on the cards over proposed changes to Shrewsbury’s historic Square after opponents refused to back down.
A public inquiry could be on the cards over proposed changes to Shrewsbury’s historic Square after opponents refused to back down.
Dozens of objections have been sent to Transport Secretary Justine Greening over plans to change the look of Princess House.
The building’s ground floor is set back from its upper storeys but developers Base 1 Architects and owners Rockspring want to bring it forward to make it level with the rest of the building.
They say they are willing to attend a public meeting on the issue, and claim retailers support their plans.
But members of groups like Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents’ Association, Shrewsbury Civic Society and Shop in the Loop claim the move, which has been granted planning permission, will bring an end to the Square’s ‘cafe culture’.
They fear the tables and chairs currently outside shops will not be allowed to move further into the Square, although the developers have denied this.
Daryl Lloyd, a Department of Transport spokesman, today said talks could now be held between developers and concerned residents to try to hammer out a compromise.
“If that doesn’t work and there are still objections, the secretary of state would either call a public inquiry or make the decision,” he said. But campaigners who have received letters from the developers asking them to ‘reconsider’ objections say they have no intention of reversing positions.
STCRA co-chairmen Sheila Sager and Alison Bukhari said in a joint letter the plans would affect public use of the Square.
Councillor Andrew Bannerman said he now thinks a public inquiry is likely, having seen ‘30 or 40’ letters of objection.
“It seems to me that if this swell of public opposition is taken into account, the obvious next step is a public inquiry,” he said.
James Tibbles, development manager for Rockspring, said moving the frontages forward is wanted by the shops. He said the change should still allow tables and chairs to remain outside stores.
Comments for: "Sides square up for battle over Shrewsbury shop frontage"
Steve Merchant
Theres nothing that can be done to improve Princess House outside demolition. To the 'developers' I say this is our town and our quality of life is important to us. Leave our historic public space alone roll up your plans and go away - or words to that effect.
eva land
Your Gung Ho comments are as pathetic as those on the council or STCRA.
The only way to achieve what we want is by negotiation and an acceptance that you just cannot walk over and take away other people's property.
Do you own a house Steve? What if the council demanded a piece of your garden to widen the road for everyone else's benefit?
You'd either say no or you'd expect compensation or the council to purchase the land from you, wouldn't you?
This is all tied up with the rules and laws connected with retail area and what space you have in order to determine rental values.
The Town Council appear to be awash with money judging by the amount already spent on the Bear Steps toilets and planned to be spent there shortly.
They could offer to rent the space under the building's overhang for the benefit of those public using the Square from the owners of this land. If their pompous,rude, egotistic and overbearing attitude hasn't soured all hopes of a compromised solution.
This is an example of the crazy system we have of electing (and paying)lay members to represent the so called democratic views of the taxpayer when in truth, at the end of the day, the problem and potential solutions are all about business interests.
Grump of Bellevue
I am one of the people who received a response from the developers when I lodged a complaint.
They were very polite and sent detailed plans.
I asked for an artist's impression of the frontages after the changes in the Square and was sent something that was 'similar' but not exact.
My objection remains in place, in part becuase the developers don't seem to have a clear idea what the end result will look like and it might be as hideous as the rest of the building.
What they fail to appreciate is that the space underneath the overhang has become part of the Square. The developers insist that filling the gap will not make much difference to the area, but it most certainly will.
Sammy
Hang on! If the Council have anything to do with this they won't listen and it will happen.
Sammy
If the square is classed as brownfield couldn't we just demolish all the old buildings, and that includes the old market hall, and put housing on it. I'm pretty sure, the way the Shropshire council is approving anything that will help with meeting their housing targets, it will get approved.
Benbow Tom
Clearly if the developers are intent on moving the frontages forward I think the key is to get some reassurance from the Council that they will be happy for tables and chairs to be present in the Square once the work has been completed.
Anyone from the Planning Department wish to comment?