Shifnal supermarket plans spark fears of reduced parking
A new supermarket could severely reduce car parking in the centre of Shifnal, a meeting was told.
Members of Shifnal Town Council received a presentation from representatives of the NHR group, who put forward initial proposals for the new shop on the site of the current village hall, plus two adjacent industrial buildings and the hall's car park.
While developers said this could prevent Shifnal residents going out of the town to do their shopping as well as attracting more trade to use existing shops on the high street, the councillors said they felt if this car park was taken on by the supermarket it could affect people who work in the town.
At yesterday's full council meeting, held in the Old Fire Station, councillors heard the shop will potentially cover 32,000 square feet, and NHR is currently in consultation with the owners of the village hall about the proposals, which have not yet been submitted for planning permission.
Nick Ratcliffe, owner of NHR, said: "Since 2008 to 2009 we have been interested in building a food shop in Shifnal. This will make basic provisions to enable the people of Shifnal to perform a weekly shop. People aren't able to do a full shop so they leave for Telford."
Mayor of Shifnal, Councillor Mark Mountford said: "It looks like a good plan, with a lot of good ideas."
However other members posed questions to Mr Ratcliffe about their concerns regarding future car parking for residents.
Councillor Kevin Turley said: "I have always had concerns about this site. It depends if the village hall is willing to relocate and there are concerns about residents and staff filling the car parks."
Mr Ratcliffe said the car park was likely to be monitored, with free car parking for a set amount of time and, should people abuse it, there would be some sort of penalty, but Councillor Turley said he felt this may restrict the time people had to spend in Shifnal town centre.
Councillor Susan Broderick added: "I don't think the people of Shifnal could afford to lose that as a free car park. Shifnal has enough problems with parking."
Mr Ratcliffe told councillors traffic assessments would be performed on the car park, as well as three main junctions in the town, to see how it may be affected.
