Talks continue over future of Shrewsbury's Dana prison
Talks are to continue between council officers and the owners of Shrewsbury's former Dana prison – despite attempts to redevelop the historic site breaking down.
Any attempt to bring the site in Castlefields, Shrewsbury, back into use "has to be done right", according to Shropshire Council cabinet member Councillor Mal Price.
He pledged that dialogue would continue with developers after a bid to create student accommodation, a walled garden, flats and a gym in the grounds of the former jail were refused by the authority's central planning committee days before Christmas.
Trevor Osborne, owner of the Dana site, has since asked council officers if the building could still be used as a prison or short-term holding centre for immigrants, migrants or refugees without the need for planning permission.
He wrote to Shropshire Council querying whether the building's previous planning uses still apply.
Several residents and the area's Shropshire Councillor Alan Mosley had objected to the proposals put forward for the site, claiming it would bring more traffic to already crowded surrounding streets and that it could cause a shortage of available parking. Councillor Price, who is the authority's cabinet member for planning and housing, said: "The local residents want to see the plans for the Dana get approval but in the right way.
"We need to continue dialogue with the developer. No-one wants it to fail but it has to be done right."
"We are keen to move this forward but as I say it has to be done as part of a democratic process." added Councillor Price.
Planning officers had recommended the project for approval, but councillors went against that advice at the meeting on December 22.
Under the site's "C2A secure residential institution" planning class, the building could be used as a prison, young offenders' institution, detention centre, secure training centre, custody centre, short-term holding centre, secure hospital, secure local authority accommodation or military barracks.
In Shropshire Council's area there are more than 5,000 planning applications each year and of these 95 per cent get approval, by delegated powers and following officer's recommendations.
Only the more controversial applications are referred up to the planning committee for discussion, the Dana being one example.
