New British Ironwork Centre plan to change A5 access
One of Shropshire's best known visitor attractions has lodged a new planning application including improvements to its access in a bid to end a three year dispute.
The British Ironwork Centre says it hopes the new application will bring to an end planning difficulties and win official permission for the site near Oswestry.
Bosses at the centre have submitted a 50-page document with the application for its current buildings - including a cafe and retail area - as well as business units and car parking on the land at Aston to Shropshire Council.
As part of that planning application the centre has put forward plans for changes to the access off the A5 trunk road.
The details of the application have not been revealed but centre chairman, Clive Knowles, expects them to appear on the council's planning portal next week.
In 2015 the business submitted plans for its retail and visitor centre.
In November 2016 it was updated with extras to the application to fit in with the attraction's plans for the future.
A year later that application was withdrawn on the advice of council officers.
Mr Knowles said the previous application had looked at a vision of the attraction too far into the future.
"We probably misinterpreted the advice we were given about adding our plans for the future and were far too enthusiastic," he said.
"It was purely a vision we had and not firm plans."
He said the current application would simply regularise everything the centre currently does and improve the access onto the A5.
"Our plans for the road access, part of the previous application, have been put forward after considerable discussion with Highways England.
"The work will cost an enormous amount of money but it will ensure that will have the highest quality road access."
"We are geared up heavily here for visitors and are a very eclectic tourist destination. Without planning consent to receive the public all this would evaporate or melt away. We need to have our operation formalised."
"We are very proud that the Ironwork Centre is popular with every demographic and that we welcome everyone of all ages and abilities."
Mr Knowles said it was important for the centre that the application was at last with Shropshire Council.
"This, we hope, will bring closure to the worries for us and our staff," he said.
"Living in a type of limbo is very fatiguing for everyone. We employ 88 members of staff and want to be able to give them the chance to work under an umbrella of security."
