Shops on car park site ‘would be good for Bridgnorth’
The development of a retail outlet on a Bridgnorth car park would increase the vitality and vibrancy of the town, according to Shropshire Council.
On the second day of a planning inquiry being held at Shrewsbury's Shirehall, the council's planning officer Karen Townend said that the proposed development at Old Smithfield car park would be sustainable and bring long-term benefits to the town.
A four-day planning inquiry is being held over plans put forward by developer Zirlan Land Limited to build five retail units in Old Smithfield. Campaigners, backed by the town's chamber of commerce, say that parking problems in the town had been identified as far back as the 1980s and the situation had not improved.
But according to Ms Townend, the scheme could see more people use buses, car sharing or utilitising the town's park and ride service.
"People have an alternative to parking in the town," she said.
She added that the quality of parking provision in the town varied from location to location.
"This scheme would improve the vitality of the town. It would help grow the town. This goes towards supporting the revitalisation of the town centre by employment and regulating services and facilities to the rural hinterland," she added.
Jack Smyth, representing Bridgnorth Chamber of Commerce, said that in the local plan of 2006, the town experienced severe traffic problems which caused knock-on problems to businesses through car usage.
"The situation had not changed," he said. "If the town wants to prosper it must improve. There is little spare capacity in current car parking spaces. There is concern about parking in Bridgnorth and it has been a long-standing concern."
Campaigners backed by some of the town's businesses launched a petition against the scheme which has attracted 6,800 signatures.
Mr Smyth was also concerned that the proposed development would cut the number of recycling points in the town from five to three.
"If the council wants to promote recycling we are moving in the wrong direction," he said.
But Ms Townend said that people would still be able to recycle at a number of points around the town.
"It is not a significant distance to travel between one or the other sites in the town. There may be other recycling opportunities in and around the town that are not listed on the council website," she said.
The inquiry is expected to finish today.
