Shrewsbury Copthorne Barracks demolition blocked by council

The Ministry of Defence last month submitted an application to Shropshire Council for the partial demolition of Copthorne Barracks, in Shrewsbury.

But at a meeting of Shrewsbury Town Council's planning committee on Tuesday night, members voted unanimously to object to the scheme.

They also called for the barracks, which were built between 1877 and 1881 and initially included a hospital, married quarters, stabling and stores, to be listed and protected from future development.

Peter Nutting, councillor for the Copthorne ward, said: "The buildings at Copthorne Barracks need to be listed or protected in some way.

"A planning brief needs to be drawn up for the barracks to give some foresight on their future and to protect the sports facilities on site."

A public display of plans for the future of the barracks will be held on August 17 between 2pm-8pm at Shrewsbury Town Football Club. I urge people to go along to see the display," said Councillor Nutting. He added that the entire planning committee had agreed to send a letter to Shropshire Council and also to the town's MP, Daniel Kawczynski, in the hope they would approach the Ministry of Defence.

He said: "I hope that Shropshire Council and Daniel Kawczynski will be able to approach the Ministry of Defence and get some common sense through political means.

"This seems like a very speculative application. The MoD proposes the demolition of up to 40 buildings on the site, leaving just the boundary walls and then this will make them as much money as possible as a redevelopment site. It appears they do not seem to care about the town or those living in neighbouring areas."

Copthorne Barracks was originally the depot of the King's Shropshire Light Infantry.