Shrewsbury winery and visitor centre bid unveiled

Plans for a winery and vineyard at Hencott Farm, Hencote Lane, near Ellesmere Road, have been lodged with Shropshire Council's planning department.

The proposed development would lead to the creation of 25 jobs.

Under the scheme landowner Andrew Stevens plans to build a winery, distillery, vineyard and woodland walk, a visitor centre complete with an events room, a restaurant and wine tasting area and a maintenance building.

The 34-acre site would be transformed in to a vineyard which would be planted with thousands of vines.

A design statement submitted to planning chiefs by London-based LOM architecture and design on behalf of Mr Stevens said: "Hencote Winery will be an action production facility for the making of wine from grapes grown on the site. The produce from the winery will be sold primarily, although not exclusively, online all under a premium brand founded on the highest quality range of products.

"Visits to the site will be on a prearranged appointment basis only and will comprise of individual visits , group visits, corporate events and weddings."

Mr Stevens hopes that the vineyard will become a tourist attraction in its own right. He envisages that visitors to the site, which overlooks Shrewsbury and is currently grassland, will be able to see and touch the entire wine making process from grape to glass.

The proposed visitors centre, distillery and winery will be of a contemporary, modern design and will incorporate a sheltered courtyard. Large plate glass windows will give 180 degree views across the vineyards towards Shrewsbury and the hills beyond.

A new road will be built to allow visitors easy access to the distillery and reception centre. A new car park, with spaces for 24 cars, will be built amongst an established orchard some distance from the visitor's centre.

The winery will comprise of a tank hall and stillage which will be temperature controlled.

There will be a large tasting area and distillery and a separate wine store.

The design statement added: "A deliberately contemporary and simple building style has been adopted to create a unique sense of place. The reception approach is clearly marked with a bridge feature over a reflective pool. Large glass screens create an inviting entrance space. The production facility is enclosed with recessed strip windows to allow glimpses to the interior space and the wine making process."

Tree, archaeological, ecological and flooding surveys have all be undertaken.

The application will now be considered by members of Shropshire Council's planning committee at a date to be determined.