Shrewsbury's town square solar panels still to be agreed

A scheme to transform Princess House in the heart of the town into 50 flats and a restaurant was approved by Shropshire Council's planning committee in December, but the full decision notice was only published this week.

The proposal, put forward by developers, The Retail Plus Property Partnership, had suggested that solar panels should be placed on the walls of the building.

However, as part of the conditions included in the decision notice full details of the panels must be submitted to the council before they are approved.

Shropshire Councillor Andrew Bannerman, who represents the area, said he felt that approving the development was a missed opportunity for the town.

He also criticised the proposal to feature the solar panels on the walls of the building.

He said: "It is extraordinary. I do not know any other building which has solar panels on the front elevation. It strikes me as mad because they are facing north west so what sort of sunlight they get I do not know.

"I think we have missed a huge opportunity of genuinely trying to improve the building with a really interesting design from an experienced architect."

Councillor Bannerman, who sits on the planning committee but was unable to vote as a local member, also requested that the design of the building was reviewed by independent architects to ensure it is in keeping with the surroundings.

He said: "It is all about design because it is the most sensitive site in the town, maybe the whole county, in fact even in the whole country. The square is a vital part of the town and given its importance I did ask that its design could be submitted to independent design experts to look at the design."

The request was rejected and a 50-space car park, based on the first floor of the building, will remain as part of the approval.

The flats will be located on the High Street side of the building.