Shrewsbury First World War aircraft hangar is saved from housing development
Shropshire's First World War aircraft hangar has been saved after a planning inspector threw out plans to demolish the site for housing.
The proposal, from Severnside Housing, was to build 39 homes at Hathaways former commercial site on Monkmoor Road, Shrewsbury.
An application was turned down by Shropshire Council last summer, although Severnside Housing appealed to a planning inspector, who has now also ruled against the proposal.
The reasons cited in the refusal are the site's historical importance, and that 32 people are employed in four long-standing businesses on the site.
The land includes the First World War aircraft hangar, valued for its distinctive 'Belfast' roof trusses, and a Second World War workshop, both of which were part of Monkmoor Airfield.
In his judgement, planning inspector Ian Radcliffe said: "The hangar on the appeal site, and the hangar nearby to the north east, date from towards the end of World War One and were used to accept, test and equip aircraft.
"In the inter-war period the hangars were put to other uses and during World War Two were used to carry out repairs, or break up damaged aircraft. Since then these buildings have been subdivided internally and returned to commercial purposes.
"In my judgement, due to the age and relative rarity of hangars that date from the First World War, indeed these are the only remaining First World War hangars in Shropshire, they are of importance to the region.
"The significance of the hangars relates to their historical interest associated with the mass mobilisation of armaments production in the First World War and their distinctive early 20th century form of construction involving, for example, the use of all timber Belfast roof trusses."
Mr Radcliffe said that even though historic parts of the buildings could be removed and stored it would be cause 'considerable harm to the significance of these heritage assets'.
He said: "Once demolished they cannot be replaced. Both buildings are not vacant and are in beneficial use. I have found that the First World War hanger and Second World War workshop are of historic significance and respectively of regional and local importance.
"Some features could be removed and stored if the proposed development went ahead. However, the proposed development in demolishing both buildings would result in considerable harm to the significance of these heritage assets."
Mr Radcliffe also reflected that there are four long-standing businesses within the buildings – a garage, an engineering company, a joinery and a carpet retailer which have been there 30 years, 25 years, 18 years and 10 years respectively.
Councillor Pam Moseley, who represents the Monkmoor division for Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council, welcomed the inspector's decision.
She said: "I feel that this appeal decision is the right one for Monkmoor, and the town.
"The hangar, with its splendid internal Belfast trussed roof, is a local feature, and important to retain as a reminder of Shrewsbury's RAF role in both world wars; indeed, there are local residents who recall seeing planes dismantled here during the Second World War.
"Also, with more than 30 people employed on the site in well-established businesses, it is significant to the local economy, both in terms of jobs and expenditure locally."
