Shrewsbury university halls project moves forward

Morris Property, which is working on the Shrewsbury University Halls project with Shropshire Council, has applied for a discharge of conditions agreed as part of the previous planning permission, which was granted in 2015.

The new plans for the Barker Street site will reduce the number of blocks for the development to two, with one containing retail units and office space.

Between the two blocks will be a two-storey in-fill. The accommodation is expected to be completed in time for students joining University Centre Shrewsbury by September 2018.

The site has been cleared with the demolition of the old Tannery and is currently surrounded by boards promoting the scheme.

The plan had originally been to build three blocks of accommodation for around 217 students. The proposal had included three main buildings, each with four floors, housing 73 students, and a postgraduate building.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s cabinet member for corporate support and university assets, said the new plans would provide a “mix of use in a primary regeneration area of the town centre”.

He added: “We are also considering one of the blocks being used for office and/or leisure purposes and making design changes, which we feel are appropriate for the ongoing development of the west end of Shrewsbury town centre.

“Additional accommodation will be constructed and available for students in September 2018.

“The council continues to work closely with University Centre Shrewsbury to offer high-quality teaching and living accommodation for students as numbers grow.”

Speaking when the decision to change the plans was approved, Robin Morris from Morris Property, the construction partner on the project said: “We’re delighted to be partnering Shropshire Council to bring forward this new student accommodation and secure the future prospects of the university here in the west end of Shrewsbury – ideally placed opposite the university’s Rowley’s House site. This is an exciting project for our versatile building team and the retail element is a welcome addition to serve this end of town.”

Professor Anna Sutton, provost of University Centre Shrewsbury, said: “The development of the second site of UCS student accommodation in Shrewsbury will enable us to continue to grow and to house our students in modern, first-class residences, in the heart of the town centre.

“We are looking forward to working with our Shropshire Council colleagues in continuing to make the UCS student experience personalised and of the highest quality.”