Shropshire Star

Councillor attacks 'cheap' looking flats plan for Shrewsbury's Square

New flats planned for Shrewsbury's historical town square have been branded "cheap" – just days before they are expected to get the go-ahead.

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Councillor Andrew Bannerman said it was essential that the best possible plans were drawn up for the flats at Princess House overlooking The Square and said it had the potential to completely alter the look of a historic part of the town centre.

He said the idea of placing solar panels outside the flats was "extraordinary" and urged councillors to throw the plans out a meeting of Shropshire Council's central planning committee on Thursday.

Planning officers at Shirehall have recommended the plans, put forward by Retail Plus Property Partnership, for approval ahead of the meeting, claiming it would improve the area.

The development of the 1970s building has largely been supported by consultees. But concerns have been raised about the look of the flats by the Town Council and English Heritage.

The 50-space car park based on the first floor would remain, and an extension would be built on the High Street side of the building to accommodate some of the flats.

Offices currently based above the ground floor of Princess House include clinics, blood tests and podiatry services run by Shropshire NHS Community Trust, the Armed Forces careers office and the town's job centre. Councillor Bannerman said: "Its position in the heart of the historic town centre and beside the Old Market Hall makes it crucial that the design is as sensitive and complementary as is possible.

"The proposed use of solar panels on the front elevation is extraordinary.

"Although the change from office to residential accommodation is generally welcomed in the town centre, this is a very busy location, where there are already traffic problems.

"A lot of people don't like the current building, but at least the design of the window, the over hang and the concrete panels reflect the vertical lines of the Tudor buildings.

"Is this the best we can get in 2014? It seems what we are being offered is not the best.

"I am concerned Shrewsbury gets the best it can not whatever an architect in London thinks and can do cheaply."

Jane Raymond, planning officer for Shropshire Council, said in a report to councillors: "It is considered that subject to the suggested conditions the proposal would improve the overall character and appearance of the building."

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