Shropshire Star

Flats, gym and restaurant: Plans submitted to transform Shrewsbury's Dana prison

Long awaited plans for the transformation of Shrewsbury's Dana prison have been submitted to Shropshire Council.

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Dana Prison in Shrewsbury

The man behind the proposal, Trevor Osborne, confirmed the application includes plans for student accommodation, private flats, a health club, cafe and restaurant, and "Shrewsbury's Walled Garden".

The plans will see the students accommodated in renovated cell blocks.

Mr Osborne said: "The student accommodation will be created from cell blocks and will make very good student accommodation with community space within the building so they can come out of their bedrooms into a joint community area with other students."

He said the building would also include "substantial areas which could be used for teaching".

About 30 to 40 flats will be created, which will feature at the entrance to the prison and there will also be space which could be used as a commercial office.

The application is now awaiting validation from Shropshire Council's planning department.

Mr Osborne said the proposal is focused on mixed use.

The property developer, who masterminded the redevelopment of Oxford's prison into the Malmaison Hotel, said he was pleased to have reached the next stage in the process.

He said: "The important thing about it, is it is bringing a historic building into new sustainable use."

Mr Osborne said some car parking will be created but students would not be allowed to live there and possess a car.

Shropshire Council confirmed it had received the application and said it is expected to go before committee for a decision.

Councillor Alan Mosley, who represents the Castlefields and Ditherington ward, said: "I believe the changes at the Dana represent a great opportunity. However, I have concerns about the over-development of the area, especially if the previously proposed hotel and amphitheatre are included, and also potentially the enormous traffic issues around the site."

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