Shrewsbury people should have say on future of prison, says council leader
The people of Shrewsbury should have their say over who wins the bid for the town's former jail, according to a council chief.
Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said there should be more consultation with people living near the former HMP Shrewsbury on The Dana before the Ministry of Justice decides who to sell the site to.
He has pledged to write to the MoJ and agents marketing the site asking them to carry out more consultation before a sale is agreed.
It comes after bidders for the building were asked to provide more details of their plans for scrutiny before a decision is made on who gets the site.
Town MP Daniel Kawczynski has already urged Justice Secretary Chris Grayling not to give the former jail to the highest bidder but to choose a developer with a proven track record.
Councillor Mosley said: "This is a very important site for the town. There will be significant impact on our economy, environment, traffic and amenities, hopefully to the benefit of all, depending on the successful bid.
"Surely, local people and various stakeholders should be involved and have their say in decisions about what goes there.
"Quite apart from the wider considerations I also feel strongly that the people of Castlefields, where the impact will be most felt, should be able to consider and have their views taken into account.
"It appears that the various bids to purchase the former prison are being called in for scrutiny by the agents acting for the Ministry of Justice, who own the site.
"This will be prior to decisions being made on the successful bidder and hence, on the future use for the site.
"I believe that an important element in these deliberations should be the opinion of the local residents, the councils, businesses and relevant organisations.
"I am writing to the agents and the Ministry of Justice asking that such consultations take place before any decision on the sale and future use of the site proceeds."
The 2.5 hectare site, which was home to one of the most overcrowded jails in the country before its closure, has stood empty for the past year.
Ideas for the land put forward by residents include a hotel, affordable flats, an educational campus or a nightclub venue. Martin Monahan, owner of The Buttermarket nightclub nearby, has confirmed he has made a bid for the site.
Property consultant Andrew Moss, who is handling the sale, has said decisions could then be taken as early as this week but may not be made public until the paper work is signed.
