Shrewsbury's Stew will lose value whether it is renovated or not, inquiry told

Geoffrey Lane, a retired member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, gave the warning at the resumption of the planning inquiry into the future of the building in Shrewsbury.

Mr Lane was called to give evidence to the inquiry at Shrewsbury's Shirehall on behalf of the building's owner, Gareth Leese.

Mr Leese is appealing against Shropshire Council's refusal to allow the building to be demolished and replaced with a hotel.

The inquiry resumed to hear the remainder of evidence relating to the building's heritage. Mr Lane claimed buildings surrounding The Stew had already detracted from its character, adding: "The theatre and council offices are modern buildings of inappropriate and unsympathetic designs that have created substantial harm to the townscape, inflicting substantial harm upon the setting, the context and the character of the Maltings and for that matter The Stew."

While under cross examination from Sarah Reid, for Shropshire Council, Mr Lane said work to convert the building instead of demolishing it, would also destroy the historical elements. He said: "Whatever you do it is irrecoverable. You are going to effectively destroy the building."

Mr Lane was also pressed on his claim that the building was sold to Mr Leese by the council on the understanding that it could be demolished.

He said: "My understanding was the building was sold on the basis that the council itself was unlikely to oppose demolition but could not guarantee that other bodies would not interfere."

But Miss Reid disputed the claim and said there was no guarantee the planning department would grant permission for its demolition. She also questioned Mr Lane's ability to assess the heritage value of the building.

The inquiry is set to adjourn at the conclusion of today's evidence before resuming on September 14.