New member of Shrewsbury masterplan team to replace ousted council leader Peter Nutting

The Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership, which wants to carry out a range of redevelopment projects in the town including creating a riverside destination in Smithfield Road, has added Councillor Ed Potter.

Councillor Potter will be Shropshire Council's representative, and is currently the authority's cabinet member for economic growth, regeneration and planning. He takes the place of Mr Nutting, who lost his Copthorne seat to Lib Dem Rob Wilson.

“A great deal of positive work has taken place over the past five years between Shropshire Council, Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury BID, which culminated in the publication of the Masterplan Vision earlier this year,” said Mr Potter.

“The public response to that vision has been really encouraging and it is clear there is a need for this kind of collaborative approach to shape the future of Shrewsbury.

“It’s worth remembering that the Big Town Plan is not a rigidly-defined planning document, it is an ethos and a way of working, and we remain very much committed to continuing this positive work both now and in the future.”

Councillor Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, welcomed Mr Potter to the partnership and said he looked forward to working together.

“I would echo Councillor Potter’s comments about our commitment to this partnership, and it has been heartening to be part of such positive collaboration for the good of our town,” he said.

“There are plenty of challenges for us to work through, and the recent consultation into the Masterplan Vision made it clear that traffic and movement in and around the town centre remains the most contentious issue for people.

“Arising from those comments and other recent developments I hope we can go on to commission a substantial consultancy to undertake a thorough re-evaluation of the Movement Vision.

“Having an overarching strategy with clear principles for how we want Shrewsbury to develop is vitally important, which is why I am proud of our work to get the Big Town Plan to where it is today.

“We have come a long way, and there is still much to do – together.”

James Handley, a director of Shrewsbury BID, added: “On behalf of the partnership, I would like to thank Peter Nutting for his contribution as leader of Shropshire Council, and I am looking forward to continuing that positive relationship with Councillor Ed Potter and the new leader, Councillor Lezley Picton.

“As Councillor Potter says, the Big Town Plan is a way of working, not simply a document to sit on a shelf. It is a resilient, flexible framework that is vital to ensuring we are all committed stakeholders in the future of our wonderful town.”

For more information, visit the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan website at shrewsburybigtownplan.org