Hotel plan for Shrewsbury backed despite objections raised by residents and town council

A new hotel on the edge of Shrewsbury is being recommended for approval.

In October 2024, Mosaic Spa and Health Club, who owned The Shrewsbury Club on Sundorne Road before it was acquired by David Lloyd Club, submitted an outline proposal for a 146-bedroom hotel.

It was a resubmission following the withdrawal of a previous application in December 2023. This was to allow the completion of a sequential assessment report requested by planning officers and to consider other matters arising.

The land that has been set aside for the development is currently used for parking to service the club and in part is planted with trees.

Shropshire Council’s Northern Planning Committee will consider the proposal next Tuesday (April 21), with it being recommended for approval.

In the design and access statement, Berrys said: “It is considered that the application deals with all matters raised at the pre-application stage and raised by officers in relation to the first application that was subsequently withdrawn both proportionately and appropriately having regard to the fact that at this stage agreement is sought for the principle of this development.

“The resubmission deals with the primary technical issue that led to the withdrawal of the original application, this being the absence of a sequential assessment. This concludes that there are no sequentially preferable sites that are available.

“At the time of the withdrawal of the application there were no other technical objections or issues, conditions were recommended and can be agreed as required. There were a number of concerns expressed by local residents.

“Some of these are design issues that would be addressed formally at the reserved matters stage.”

Many objections have been lodged, including from the Green Party and town council

Since the application was submitted, many objections have been lodged, including from the Shrewsbury Green Party and Shrewsbury Town Council.

The latter said that the proposal is inconsistent with the Big Town Plan and contradicts with the Shrewsbury Movement Strategy, while there are environmental and heritage concerns.

Uffington Parish Council also raised concerns about the potential impact of the access road on local residents, but decided to adopt a ‘neutral position’.

However, none of the technical consultees have raised objections. This includes highways, who said the applicant has agreed to contribute £130,000 towards improvements at the Sundorne Road junction and the impact on the main roundabout that connects to the A49.

“The proposed development for a new hotel building is deemed acceptable in principle, on the basis that it will support Shrewsbury’s role as the County’s primary visitor, business and service centre,” said planning officer, Ollie Thomas.

“The hotel would provide new visitor accommodation that is linked to an existing and well-established leisure facility, in turn generating clear economic and tourism benefits.

“Concerns raised by local residents have been fully considered, whereby it is concluded that, at this outline stage, there is no evidence of unacceptable or irreversible harm that would warrant refusal.”