Worries over plan to redevelop Shrewsbury's Copthorne Barracks

Shropshire Council's conservation officer Karen Rolfe has highlighted several issues with the potential development, relating to a three-storey retirement living block and changes to the entrance off The Mount in Shrewsbury.

There are worries, too, about changes to the entrance off The Mount in Shrewsbury.

The report, submitted as part of a consultationn official consultee response, also states a desire to see more effort to retain the historic barracks wall on Copthorne Road.

In her report, Mrs Rolfe says: "We would also raise concern over the proposed modifications to the Barracks Lane junction with The Mount.

"This junction is characterised by a narrow entrance to Barracks Lane (reflecting its narrowness along its entire route) with the entrance flanked by part of the continuous brick boundary walling which runs along The Mount. These are important visual and historic elements of the street scene within the Conservation Area, and the modifications indicated on the submitted plans to 'improve' the entrance here should be reduced in scope and the impact fully assessed and minimised.

"These modifications could also have an impact on the setting of the Grade II listed circa 1830s Cadogan House and adjoining stable and coach house, located on the east side of the Barracks Lane entrance, and these impacts would need to be more fully assessed."

In the response Mrs Rolfe also suggests that the location of the retirement home location is reconsidered.

The report says: "A large bulky three storey (or higher) building in this location could have a significant impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, the character of Barracks Lane, and the setting and the significance of the listed Cadogan House and its wider property. We would recommend the location of this building is reconsidered, and the number of living units reduced."

The council report also calls for the boundary walling along Copthorne Road to be retained.

The Ministry of Defence has submitted an application to build 174 houses and 45 retirement units on the site. As part of the application process a number of local authority departments are consulted.

The council report also calls for the boundary walling along Copthorne Road to be retained.

It says: "We support the retention of The Keep, but we have indicated in pre-application discussions that efforts to retain more of the historic boundary walling associated with it along Copthorne Road are warranted, especially since much of the historic entrance gates to the site have already been lost or modified, to better retain the historic context of the property and the street scene."