Severn Park visitor centre moves step nearer

Design consultants have drawn up the plans and now a flood risk assessment of the area is to be carried out as the proposed site is on a flood plain. A planning application is expected to be submitted in about six weeks.

The building would serve as a cafe and visitor centre and also include toilets and an art, education and meeting space.

Talks are also under way to let Bridgnorth Canoe Club store its boats under the new building.

Bridgnorth Town Council clerk Anne Wilson said: “The canoers approached us because members wanted it to become a ‘first class’ club but they struggled because they had no storage space.

“Part of the proposals is for canoes to be stored under the building, so enabling the club to improve its status.”

A bid for funding for the new centre has been put in to Shropshire Council under its Market Towns Revitalisation Programme.

Other sources of funding, such as Sport England and the Lottery, are also being explored.

Mrs Wilson said the plans had been drawn up by Johnson Design Partnership, of Station Road, Bridgnorth, and Matt Spinx of the consultancy had given a presentation to a meeting of the town council.

She said represenatives of the canoe club were at the meeting, along with Tom Brettell, lead officer for the revitalisation programme with Shropshire Council.

“The proposed centre would be eco-friendly, with solar panels and the like,” said Mrs Wilson.

“The main reason for having this building is to promote leisure useage and increase it by drawing people into Severn Park.

“The town council is embarrassed that there are still portable toilets in the park.”