Green light for community hub plans in 15th-century building
Shropshire planning chiefs award consent for project which will see town centre building become home to new uses including visitor centre and workspace
Proposals to breathe new life into a historic Shropshire building have been given the go ahead by planning chiefs.
A visitor centre and new commercial space are set to be created as part of the renovation of Oswestry's landmark timber-framed Llwyd Mansion to create a mixed-use heritage and community hub.
Work will include structural repairs, internal alterations, accessibility improvements and upgrades to the building's services. The planning application said it was hoped Llwyd Mansion would become a beacon for tourism and information on Oswestry, promoting culture and heritage across the borderland.
The building in Cross Street was built in the 1460s as a grand merchant's home and possibly incorporated an earlier medieval hall. It was bought by Oswestry Town Council in 2023.
The revamp project will involve creating storage space in the basement to support the building's activities while the ground floor will be home to a visitor centre and retail space.
There will also be an improved shopfront with large windows to create a more active frontage.
The first floor will be home to a flexible and open plan space suitable for a range of activities including exhibitions or more retail, with access via a new stairway and lift.
The proposal for the second floor is to have some flexible space for use as a maker's studio and workspace with smaller offices and breakout areas.
Llwyd Mansion is grade I listed, has been vacant since 2022 after hairdresser Toni and Guy left and appears on Historic England's 'At Risk' register which lists UK heritage buildings which have fallen into a state of disrepair and decay.
In a submission to Shropshire Council in response to the planning application, Historic England said: "Historic England welcomes and supports proposals for the restoration of this building.
"The building is on Historic England's ‘Heritage at Risk' register where it is recorded as 'poor and declining'. Therefore we consider that further investment and repair works to this significant listed building is critical and welcome to address the structural issues.
"We welcome the proposed new use of the building as a community use as a hub."
A report from planning officers at Shropshire Council added: "The building has suffered from prolonged vacancy and deterioration.
"The proposed scheme would secure the repair, restoration and viable re-use of the building, delivering substantial public benefits through the provision of heritage, cultural and community facilities, improved accessibility, enhanced interpretation of the building's history and investment within Oswestry town centre.
"While some limited harm to historic fabric has been identified, officers are satisfied this is outweighed by the significant public benefits arising from the scheme, including securing the long-term future of this important heritage asset and facilitating its removal from the Heritage at Risk Register."
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