Shrewsbury Town Council’s £500,000 depot bid is backed

The plans for the new building, next to the authority’s current depot and greenhouse at Weeping Cross, near Shrewsbury, were backed by Shropshire Council’s central planning committee yesterday.

The proposals were voted through by a 6-2 majority at Shirehall – despite opposition from residents and members of the Plymouth Brethren religious group, who use a hall near the site, and who claim the new depot would disturb their place of worship.

A spokesman for Plymouth Brethren told the meeting that the building would be ‘incompatible’ with the rural area.

He also raised fears that the council gritters would use the depot 24 hours a day during cold weather.

But Helen Ball, town clerk for Shrewsbury Town Council emphasised that the authority only had responsibility for the gritting of pedestrian areas and would not be out late at night.

She said the site's opening hours would be between 8am and 4pm, with horticultural staff working away from the depot for most of that time.

Mrs Ball said having a secure base from which to work would enable the town council to continue to support Shrewsbury and surrounding parishes.

Shrewsbury Town Council currently shares a depot on the Weeping Cross site with Shropshire Council, but sought a new standalone depot to increase its autonomy.

The 1,700 sq m depot would be used to store equipment, provide a space for vehicle and play equipment maintenance as well as office space for staff.

During consultation, concerns were raised over plans to allow a third party to share the new depot with Shrewsbury Town Council.But, Shrewsbury Town Council has since confirmed that it will be the sole user.