Office flats plan for Shrewsbury town square gets full backing
Plans for up to 50 flats and a new restaurant to be created on Shrewsbury's town square have been given the seal of approval by town councillors.
At a meeting of Shrewsbury Town Council's planning committee last night the plans for the apartments above the shops at Princess House, which will include 12 penthouse flats, councillors approved the plans which could potentially transform the view across one of Shrewsbury's most historic areas.
But councillors did raise concerns over the look of the flats.
Councillor Andrew Bannerman said: "It does not feel like a design but a cheap wrap around of the building."
Councillors said they did need to make sure the materials were right for the area.
The living rooms of the flats will look out on to The Square, according to the plans by Retail Plus Property Partnership.
The 50-space car park based on the first floor would remain, and an extension would be built on the High Street side of the building to accommodate some of the flats, and will be covered by solar panels.
Councillor Peter Nutting agreed with the development.
He said: "We are trying to encourage people to live in the town centre."
Offices currently based above the ground floor of Princess House include clinics, blood tests and podiatry services run by Shropshire NHS Community Trust, the Armed Forces careers office and the town's job centre.
In plans submitted to Shropshire Council, the scheme's agents Stride Treglown leases for the offices are due to expire in the next two to three years and that current occupiers do not wish to extend the existing arrangements.
No timescale has yet been set for the project and despite the town council agreeing the decision will be taken by Shropshire Council at a future date.
Also at the meeting plans for 550 houses and business park, care home and restaurant on the edge of Shrewsbury were approved by the town council.
The scheme off Oteley Road South forms part of the Shrewsbury South Sustainable Urban Extension.
The outline planning application is from developers Lands Improvement and was discussed by councillors at the Shrewsbury Town Council planning committee last night.
Councillor Peter Nutting said: "I think they have done all the pre-planning that they could."
Shropshire Council's central planning committee is expected to make a decision in the new year.
