Decision on Shrewsbury Dana's future deferred

Plans for the site met with objections from planning officers over concerns about a lack of parking, the impact of traffic and because the proposal represents "a cramped and over-intensive use of the site".

Shropshire Council's central planning committee was originally advised to refuse the plans, which would have seen student accommodation, offices, flats, a gym and lecture halls as well as using its listed wall to create a walled garden.

But yesterday, after a request from agents working on behalf of Dana owner Trevor Osborne, councillors agreed to defer their decision.

A document handed to councillors said: "The applicant's agent has requested this application be deferred to a later committee meeting. The agent has advised that they would like to amend the application to address the recommended reasons for refusal, especially the car parking and traffic management issues and further consideration of the size and position of proposed Building B. On this basis it is considered to be prudent to allow the applicant a further opportunity to attempt to resolve the objections.

"Any changes will be subject to a further round of consultation and publicity to be reported to the committee at a later date."

Alan Mosley, councillor for the Castlefields ward in which the Dana Prison falls, said he was pleased to see the plans deferred. He said: "I am very pleased that the officers initially recommended the proposal for refusal. Their report showed it was an overdevelopment and of poor design, particularly around the Lancastrian School.

"There was also a strong objection regarding parking and traffic that would follow the development.

"I hope that further talks can resolve these issues. Unless Trevor Osborne is going to make some big changes to the plans they will continue to be unacceptable."