Shropshire Star

New Shrewsbury Dana owner to tell of plans for site

The developer behind the transformation of Shrewsbury's former Dana prison will meet with residents to discuss his plans for the Victorian site.

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Trevor Osborne from the Osborne Group will meet with local people living in Castlefields to unveil his ideas for the Grade II-listed building which closed as a prison in 2013.

The meeting at Castlefields Community Centre has been hailed as a positive step by the man representing the area on Shropshire Council.

Councillor Alan Mosley described the project at the Dana as the most important development in the Castlefields area for many years.

Under plans unveiled by Mr Osborne last month, the prison could be transformed in to 40 open market flats, student digs, a gym and health and leisure facilities.

There would also be rooms for lectures and meetings which could be used for conferences, and a restaurant and cafe. A walled garden was also proposed several months ago by Mr Osborne.

Trevor Osborne

Further green and employment spaces on the site could also be provided and Mr Osborne is investigating the possibility of building a hotel on derelict land near the jail and River Severn currently owned by Network Rail and Shropshire Council.

The prison, which is currently used for tours and has welcomed in thousands of visitors, was last week the venue for Halloween-themed zombie chases which attracted 350 people over three days.

Councillor Mosley, who is Shropshire councillor for Castlefields and leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: "I am pleased that Trevor Osborne has agreed to come along and present his plans and consult with the local residents.

"This is the most important development to have happened in Castlefields for many years.

"I hope he will give details about the proposals and listen carefully to what local people have to say.

"This is the second time he will have met up with residents who have positively welcomed proposals that this site is to be redeveloped. There are some concerns about parking in the area and also traffic management relating to future development."

Mr Mosley added: "He will be making a presentation about his future plans for the site including his plans for the car park and visitors centre on land on the opposite side of the road.

"He will also give a presentation of the latest plans of how he is going to see additional parking in the area and treat the surrounding areas."

The meeting will be taking place tonight at the community centre in New Park Road tonight at 7.15pm.

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