Car park sold

One of Shrewsbury's main town centre car parks has been sold in a £2million deal after a decision made by councillors behind closed doors.

The controversial deal to sell the Barker Street site to Morris Property paves the way for the major redevelopment of the town's West End - which could include a new hotel.

Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council assistant chief executive Andy Goldsmith today quashed fears that the timber framed 16th century Rowley's House is included in the deal.

He said: "The Barker Street car park is sold subject to contract. That was the decision taken by cabinet members last week.

"The deciding factor was that it had gone on the market and we have a design brief for the West End regeneration.

"This deal had all the factors we asked for in the design brief."

Mr Goldsmith said the scheme would lead to a new road layout in the area after the car park is handed over on July 1.

"Rowley's House is not included in the sale and the immediate surroundings are also not included in the sale.

"It will be a mixed scheme of residential, commercial and have the potential for a new hotel to be built on the site.

"We had the initial submission by the interested party which met all of our requirements," added the assistant chief executive."

He said the deal was approved during the exempt part of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's cabinet meeting.

Cabinet member Councillor Charles Armstrong said Morris Property had offered a "considerably larger sum" than anyone else for the site.

He said: "The important thing as well is that it is an unconditional offer.

"There will be a lot of archaeology to take into consideration there at a great expense."

Morris Property bid for the car park and Rowley's House last year when the pair went on the market for £2million.

The company planned to redevelop Rowley's House into a hotel and restaurant, alongside 30 new homes and a new convenience store.

The council, however, took the Grade II listed former museum off the market after a public outcry at its sale.

Robin Morris, from Morris Property, today said: "It is our intention, subject to the necessary planning consent, for this to be a mixed use scheme of retail and residential.

"We now look forward to meeting with the council and taking this project forward."

By Andy Robbins