Shrewsbury Flax Mill project backed – but woe for Dana Prison redevelopment

Experts are unhappy with proposals for The Dana because of worries about a lack of parking, the impact of traffic and because the plans represent "a cramped and over-intensive use of the site".

Officers recommended refusal, although Dana owner Trevor Osborne said he has agreed for the decision to be delayed until November to allow negotiation.

Meanwhile proposals from Historic England to redevelop the Flax Mill at Ditherington, creating a visitor centre, cafe, and four floors of commercial office space, are being recommended for approval.

Both applications are due to be discussed by Shropshire Council's central planning committee on Thursday.

Work on the Flax Mill could begin in April or May next year. The project has an estimated completion date of 2021.

Tim Johnston, project director in charge of the Flax Mill for Historic England said: "We are very pleased the planning officer in charge of the case is recommending approval and hope for a favourable response from the planning committee later this month."

The project already has some funding but is awaiting the outcome of an application for an increase in the grant to enable work to begin. The grant application will be decided in January next year.

The proposal for The Dana seeks permission to build student accommodation, offices, flats, a gym and lecture halls, as well as using its listed wall to create a walled garden.

But in a report on the authority's website planning officers criticised the plans and say the development would not have enough parking space and would present a greater safety hazard for those using the nearby roads.

A proposal to construct another two-and-a-half storey building by the former Lancasterian School was also criticised, with claims its height would impact on nearby residents and obstruct views of the school.

The report states: "It has not been demonstrated that the levels of traffic generation can be effectively managed and accommodated within the site. The proposed development would, thereby be highly likely to create increased highway safety hazards and inconvenience for users of the local highway network." The planning officers have also criticised the mixed-use proposal, saying: "The proposals, by virtue of the scale of development, the concentration of multiple uses and the lack of adequate parking and servicing areas within the site, constitutes a cramped and over-intensive use of the site, resulting in a development that is out of character with the surrounding area."

Councillor Alan Mosley, who represents Castlefields and Ditherington, opposes The Dana but supports the Flax Mill.

He said: "This is a red letter day for me, Castlefields and Ditherington, and Shrewsbury as a whole.

"The rejection of the Dana development is brilliant news as it represents an over-development which would bring great harm to the local community and surrounding areas in terms of traffic, parking and poor design.

"The news that the Flax Mill Maltings is recommended for approval is superb and it can now go on to bring great investment for the area, preserve and re-use a gem of international importance and bring much-needed regeneration."