Plans submitted for next phase of Shrewsbury regeneration scheme
Artist’s impression showing how a new hotel could look. Looking north along Roushill (FaulknerBrowns Architects)
A second planning application has been lodged as part of the regeneration of Shrewsbury.
Shropshire Council’s Smithfield Riverside is transforming the area between the River Severn, the Darwin Centre and Roushill in Shrewsbury town centre.
Led by the council and its development manager, RivingtonHark, the outline application seeks to secure the principle of development for three plots located between Smithfield Road, Raven Meadows and the new park on Roushill.
Whilst building proposals are currently illustrative at this stage, phase two will offer a complementary mix of residential, office and hotel uses.
Plans also include an enhanced public realm and have reduced the maximum building height for the plots by one storey.
The first stage of the project, a landmark new public park alongside Roushill, was approved earlier this year. Funded by almost £19m of Levelling Up money from the government, the first phase sparked the demolition of the Riverside shopping centre and the former Riverside medical practice, with the construction of the park scheduled to begin in early 2025.
The application was informed by a second round of public consultation, which saw around 3,000 people engage online, 300 in-person engagements and over 200 people leave direct feedback.
Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council, said: “We are pleased to see the second planning application for Smithfield Riverside submitted today. With the delivery of the exciting new public park along Roushill now in full flow, it’s great to see the next part of the long-term vision coming forwards.
“The council and our project team would like to thank everyone who viewed the outline plans for phase two and shared their feedback with us. This is a project for the whole of Shropshire and the comments we received have tangibly influenced the latest planning application.”
Spencer Winter, Project Director at RivingtonHark, commented: “This is another important milestone in the Smithfield Riverside project. The second application provides the crucial guidance needed to ensure that any future regeneration on these three plots will be of real quality and be sympathetic to the look and feel of Shrewsbury town centre.
“The success of this application will help create the ideal environment and provide a real confidence that will help us to attract investment to deliver the long-term vision.”
