Property owned by Shropshire Council to be sold

Land next to Shrewsbury's Tesco Extra store and the former home of the Shrewsbury Chronicle are set to be sold off as part of a review of Shropshire Council's property and estates, officials said today.

The exercise will also look at the future of a number of other buildings and assets including the Quarry Swimming and Fitness Centre in Shrewsbury, which may be run by a private sector company on the council's behalf.

The Government says councils should look to reduce the number of buildings owned by up to 30 per cent to save money and energy costs.

Shropshire Council's cabinet will consider a report tomorrow on the Asset Management Strategy, which sets out how many buildings the council owns and whether they should remain under its ownership.

Government budget cuts mean the council needs to save £76 million over the next three years.

Councillor Robert Tindall, deputy cabinet member for asset management, said: "I am pleased to be leading this important work that will see the council make savings from its portfolio of assets and property across the county."

A 3.7-acre site at Harlescott Lane, near Tesco, is up for sale for between £1.3 million and £1.5 million.

Chronicle House, also owned by the authority, is up for sale for about £400,000.