Pub and shops to be demolished in £2.5 million regeneration of Hollinswood

The project has been lined up for Hollinswood, and members of Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet will decide whether to push ahead with the proposals at a meeting next week.

The scheme includes demolition of the Woodcutter pub, demolition and replacement of the existing shops and flats and building a new activity hub for adults with learning difficulties.

It also includes enhancements to and extension of the community centre, landscaping improvements, better links to Telford town centre and the potential for further residential development.

Consultation on the proposals is already under way and an open day will be held from 1.30pm to 6.30pm in Hollinswood Community Centre on Tuesday.

Telford & Wrekin Council also has the potential option of carrying out a second phase of regeneration which would result in construction of seven two bedroom homes close to the centre of Hollinswood.

Hollinswood would follow in the footsteps of Brookside and Hadley, which have already seen major regeneration works to their centres.

The plans to revamp Hollinswood, which will be discussed by councillors at a meeting on Thursday (SEPT 18), are in response to a profile of The Nedge ward that was carried out in 2011, which highlighted that the local parish saw the centre of Hollinswood as unattractive, outdated, unsafe and subject to vandalism.

The review also showed that residents felt the physical environment of the centre makes it a focus for social and community problems in the area with growing issues of crime and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Bill McClements, cabinet member for finance and enterprise, said: "This scheme will improve Hollinswood's links to the town centre, providing better access to emerging employment opportunities associated

with Southwater and the extension of Telford Shopping Centre – which are expected to generate more than 2,000 jobs."

The cabinet approved the investment in Hollinswood in January and have since been working with residents, public sector partners and businesses to develop proposals which will deliver the major improvements.

The Woodcutter pub tenant left the venue at the end of August and planning approval has been secured for demolition, which is due to start next month.

The existing shops with three flats on the first floor – two of which are privately owned with the third owned by the Wrekin Housing Trust – will all be demolished with existing tenants relocated into the new flats, assuming they agree to the plans.

Proposals are also being put forwards for the regeneration to include a new activity hub for adults with learning difficulties will combine some of the services currently offered at other locations such as The Bridges, Halesfield 22, Lakeside and The Severns.