Call to reject Meole Brace Retail Park expansion

Jon Tandy, who is stepping down as councillor for Bayston Hill, Column and Sutton, said the proposals to build a new Sports Direct unit on the retail park would block any future second approach road to the complex, which he believes would solve the current traffic problems.

He said Shrewsbury bucks the national trend when it comes to independent shops in the town centre and that out-of-town retail should not be allowed to ruin the town.

The plans for Meole Brace would see Sports Direct move to a newly-built shop, while clothes retailer Outfit would take on its present site. The plans could create more than 100 jobs.

Councillor Tandy said: "I have to object to this application. The proposed extension will worsen current access difficulties at Meole Brace retail park and rule out the one effective solution.

"At the same time, it risks harm to the town centre. We have crowds trying to get out of the retail park at weekends, sometimes taking as long as 30 minutes to get out of the car park.

"Everyone who uses the park says another access is needed, and the only place for it would be blocked by this new extension. It is hard to see how another feeder road for the current access can help.

"To an observer, the majority of those leaving the park appear to be heading back towards Shrewsbury, which tells us where Meole Brace is taking its shoppers from.

"We cannot risk further detriment to Shrewsbury town centre. Officers must carry out an up to-date assessment of impact on the town centre – or insist on one from the applicants.

"Shrewsbury bucks the national trend with the quantity of independent shops it offers. We have very few vacant shops.

"That creates a retail experience that draws people from all over the West Midlands. I see too many towns across the UK ruined by out-of-town retail. We cannot afford to let that happen to Shrewsbury."

Agents acting on behalf of the firm responsible for plans to regenerate the Riverside Mall in the town centre have lodged objections to the plans, saying, if approved, they could threaten future developments in the town centre .

They say that if the Meole scheme is given the go-ahead, delayed plans to redevelop the Riverside Mall could be affected.

The most recent proposal for the Riverside Mall, which would have seen the the demolition of the existing Riverside centre and the construction of a 225,000 sq ft complex featuring a department store, 50 new shops, 10 restaurants, offices and car parking, has been placed on hold for several years. It was granted planning permission in 2012.