Former youth club 'in a poor state of repair' set to be sold off by cash-strapped council

Councillors have approved plans to “dispose” of a former youth club building in Shifnal.

The St Andrews building off the A4169 in Shifnal is set to be sold off after councillors agreed that it was no longer financially viable to retain.

The local authority had considered transferring the building, which had been used as a youth club and a community hall, to community ownership.

However, a condition survey commissioned by Shifnal Town Council reportedly found it to be in such a poor state that redevelopment would represent better value for money than retaining and refurbishing the existing structure.

Cash-strapped Shropshire Council said the disposal would generate capital that would help support it’s finanical recovery.

Roger Evans, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for finance, said: “Disposing of buildings is never an easy decision, but the evidence shows that bringing the building up to modern standards would require very significant investment, which simply does not represent value for money given our current financial challenges.

“The government has provided the council with Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) and as part of this agreement expects us to generate additional income from selling assets that are no longer viable to retain.

“By progressing the disposal of the St Andrews building, we can reduce ongoing costs and generate a capital receipt that helps support the council’s financial recovery, while also creating an opportunity for the site to be redeveloped in the future.”

The local authority said the disposal would consider the potential of the wider site, including the area of land to the west of the building.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The site will continue to be managed safely while it remains in council ownership.

“The timing and value of any eventual sale will depend on planning considerations and market conditions.”