Proposed Cote Brasserie restaurant in Shrewsbury Square described as 'overbearing'
Plans for a new restaurant in Shrewsbury's historic square have been described as "overbearing" by a conservationist.
An application has been lodged with Shropshire Council for a Cote Brasserie restaurant in an empty unit in Princess House, in The Square.
The restaurant would bring 20 new jobs and include an outside seating area in front of the restaurant and three retractable verandas. Today, Elizabeth Mee, principal conservation and design officer in the historic environment team at Shropshire Council, said minor changes to the proposed development would help solve the issues.
She said: "Whilst this property is the ground floor of a postmodern building block, it is sited in a relatively sensitive location in that it forms the main façade adjacent to the Grade I listed Old Market Hall at ground level and sits firmly within The Square, one of the key historic public open spaces within the Town Centre Conservation Area.
"There are further key views along the frontage of listed buildings, within which the development would be perceived as a relatively prominent addition.
"It is for this reason the current proposals are viewed to be overbearing in the context – the site falls firmly within the immediate setting of not only the Old Market Hall but also of a number of listed buildings within the Square.
"Whilst the signage and lighting proposal seems appropriate and acceptable considering the opening hours and the age and style of the property itself, and is sensitive in terms of light levels and styles to the context, the protruding awning and seating areas have the potential to cause harm to the setting of the designated heritage assets and should be reconsidered."
