Water sports centre idea for Ellesmere depot site
A disused depot in Ellesmere could be transformed into a new water sports centre, according to Shropshire Council.
The authority wants to develop Swan Hill Depot, and has put forward their idea for the centre to include an all-weather indoor play facility and cafe.
Shropshire Council has also launched a survey to gather the views of local people on what they would like to see on the site.
They said it is a way to develop and promote the Mere by creating more outdoor recreational opportunities all year round. In turn the council hopes to increase visitor numbers and raise awareness of the Meres and Mosses landscape.
Mayor of Ellesmere, Councillor Ryan Hartley, is encouraging residents and visitors to the town to have their say.
He said: "It would be nice to find out what the people of Ellesmere really want there. I hope as many people as possible complete the survey and give their views."
In 2015 Ellesmere Town Council made an Asset of Community Value nomination for the depot in the hope of protecting it for community use.
However, it was turned down by Shropshire Council.
Councillor Hartley added: "As a town council we support it being redeveloped as long as it enhances Cremorne Gardens. It's not been officially discussed yet but we would like it if it was going to be a craft centre and cafe. That idea has been mooted before and seemed popular.
"Other ideas have been put forward, such as a water sports centre, but I'm not currently sure to what extent that would be as there is a bylaw to prevent boats with motors on the Mere. It would possibly just be for canoes and things like that. Another idea is to increase the size of the playground in Cremorne Gardens.
"Whatever happens I just hope people fill out the survey and have their say."
The site was once subject to a planning application put forward by CMS JAW Ltd to build up to nine homes near to the cemetery at Swan Hill.
A planning committee refused planning permission for the homes. The developer appealed against the council’s decision and submitted an appeal to the Government Planning Inspectorate which was subsequently thrown out.
The survey is available online at surveymonkey.co.uk/r/the-mere-user-survey-2018
