Dana Prison developers ask for delay on decision

Shropshire Council today confirmed its officers are now "likely" to recommend that the application is deferred, instead of rejected as initially proposed.

Tim Rogers, Shropshire Council's area planning manager, said that the applicants have asked for more time to address the issues cited as reasons for refusal. They included fears over the effect extra traffic generated by the development would have on the local area.

Mr Rogers said: "The agenda has been published, and had been prior to a request from the applicants that determination of the application be deferred.

"The request was to allow the applicants further time to explore ways of overcoming concerns identified to them, including highways issues. Therefore, officers are likely to recommend to central planning committee at Thursday's meeting that they defer deciding on this application until a later meeting. The final decision on whether to defer will rest with central planning committee on the day."

The proposal 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.

However, in a report on the authority's website planning officers criticised the plans and said 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 near to the former Lancasterian School was also criticised, with claims that its height would impact on nearby residents and obstruct views of the school, which are an "important feature within the area".

The planning officers also said: "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."