Shrewsbury crown court plans given the go-ahead

The former court, which closed in March 2016 and has stood empty since, will be transformed from the current court set-up of four courtrooms into a purpose-built two-room courtroom arrangement with space for juries, judges, and public galleries.

The Ministry of Justice had applied to Shropshire Council for permission to alter the building's layout and also add an extension and new pedestrian access.

The extension would provide an extra 154-square metres of floorspace.

Full planning permission for both internal alterations, extension, and pedestrian access has now been granted.

Agents working for the MoJ said that knocking the four courts into two would allow for the creation of other facilities including a multi-purpose hearing room, judges' chambers and retiring rooms for juries.

The MoJ now plan to move the crown court from its existing building in Shirehall the small distance to the newly refurbished building on neighbouring Preston Street.

Alistair Russell, of planning agents RPS, said that the move would mean an empty building would be brought back into use.

He said: "From an economic perspective the extension would provide construction work in the short-term and long-term employment opportunities when the court re-opens. The development would also bring back into use a building which is currently unused and therefore economically inefficient.

"The development would enable the court, an important facility, to reopen in Shrewsbury."

Mr Russell said in a planning statement: "The development will allow for the creation of a new internal arrangement within the court, principally to create two courtroom areas to better meet the requirements of the MoJ.

"Shrewsbury Magistrates' Court was originally constructed in 1992. The proposed extension and external alterations would enable an improved internal arrangement to provide up-to-date facilities so that the court can be reopened.

"Care has been taken to ensure that the extension is in keeping with the architectural style of the existing building, so that that the extension appears to be a natural continuation of the north elevation."

No date has been given for the reopening of the court.