'It should be a genuine riverside community' - Council leaders' update on Shrewsbury redevelopment project

It had gained planning permission for the creation of a new park, as well as a number of other buildings, including potentially a new 'shirehall' to be shared with other public organisations, a hotel, and homes.

Demolition work has been completed on the former Riverside Shopping Centre and medical practice - but construction has not yet started on any of the planned replacements.

Shropshire Council's Liberal Democrat leader, Council Heather Kidd, and deputy leader, Councillor Alex Wagner, have previously spoken about the future of the project, suggesting that their party had always considered the development should be focussed on housing.

Speaking today (Tuesday, June 24) the pair said they will be pushing for progress on starting the work to build the 'Riverside Gardens' park, have questioned whether the original scale and height of the proposed buildings could be revisited, and whether vital extra parking could be added at either Frankwell, or Abbey Foregate.

Referring to the development of the park Councillor Wagner said: "We want to be moving ahead with it. It is clear people want to be seeing results and want answers on when landscaping will start."

He added that the intention is to see the work begin in "the next few months".

The deputy leader also suggested that the design and height of the proposed buildings could be reconsidered - with the current plan for three buildings all of the same height.

He said: "There is some argument for looking at the height of the buildings."

Councillor Wagner said there would be discussions over whether there could be 'some low-rise and some high-rise' buildings, instead of uniform height.

He said that may mean a building taller than currently planned, adding that the development had to reflect the individuality of Shrewsbury.

He said: "It is key that it is a proper Shropshire scheme and fits, rather than something you would find anywhere."

Councillor Kidd said that it is also important that the housing benefits all parts of society.

Councillor Wagner added: "It should be a genuine residential community like most of the town centre, other than some flats there was a bit of a demand for at the time.

"It should be a genuine riverside community."

The councillors also said that they were asking officials to look at the possibility for one of the Liberal Democrat's manifesto proposals - adding an extra storey to either of the town's car parks at Frankwell, or Abbey Foregate.

Councillor Kidd said that parking could be a serious issue for housing at the new Riverside developments, and that could offer one solution.

Councillor Wagner explained that potentially adding a second storey to the Frankwell Car Park could also allow it to continue operating in the event of flooding, which currently shuts the car park.

He added that any extra parking would also bring in more revenue for the council.