Work to redevelop Shrewsbury's Copthorne Barracks moves closer after transport objections dropped

The Ministry of Defence wants to build a total of 228 homes on the site, while campaigners say they want it to be used as a shelter for homeless ex-servicemen and women.

Previously, transport experts said they were concerned about the access to the site, especially around the Barracks Lane junction and The Mount.

But today, a new report says following discussions with the developers and improvements made to the design of the junction, there are no longer any objections from a transport perspective.

It recommends no objections are lodged from a highways point of view to the outline application as long as the final application restricts vehicular access to and from Barracks Lane and The Mount to the site area proposed for the retirement accommodation. It has also been said only over 60s, those who have retired early due to infirmity or incapacity, widows or widowers or a dependant of a resident falling within these categories should be allowed to live in the retirement homes as the parking provision does not make enough allowance for general occupation.

The report says: "Following the previous highway advice note, meetings and discussions took place which resulted in the submission of a technical note from Savoy Consulting along with a drawing which addresses a number of the previous highways and transportation concerns, in particular the proposed changes at the Barracks Lane junction with The Mount. The drawing and the further illustrations of the junction works required as set out in the submitted supplementary heritage statement document are now considered to be acceptable in principle.

"The final design will need to be the subject of a full technical/engineering assessment and approval, including any necessary Road Safety Audits, before implementation.

"It is considered that a survey of this area should be undertaken to ensure the accuracy of any future design work."

A number of conditions have been attached to the report, including no vehicular access to the site until the agreed work to the junction in question being carried out.

The report also says the final application shall include no permanent through-route for vehicles between Copthorne Road and The Mount other than emergency vehicles.

It has also been said that the confirmed application will see no more than eight dwellings using vehicular access from the western access junction to Copthorne Road.

It has also been recommended that a financial contribution of £125,000 from the developer to fund a feasibility study into a pedestrian crossing on Copthorne Road. The final application will also have to include more pedestrian and cycle links to Barracks Lane.