Historic Shropshire building saved from demolition to make way for retirement homes

The Innage Lea site in Bridgnorth had been earmarked for 55 retirement apartments after plans were put forward by Churchill Retirement Living.

But following a campaign launched by Bridgnorth Civic Society to save the former site of William Williams builders' merchants, the plans were turned down by Shropshire Council.

David Cooper, committee member of Bridgnorth Civic Society, said members were thrilled with the result.

He said: "We're pleased that the conservation team at Shropshire Council has given firm guidance about the potential demolition of Innage Lea and its outbuildings, and that it's been acted on.

"The buildings are regionally significant heritage assets and valued for aesthetic, historical and architectural reasons.

"National and local planning policies favour preserving heritage assets, so proposed developments should be designed to try and keep them.

"We've already seen some loss of architectural features from Innage Lea and we think it's very important that the building is looked after while the site's owners consider the way forward."

Bridgnorth Town Council had previously recommended refusal of the plans which would have also seen a lodge manager's accommodation built on site, alongside communal faculties, vehicle access and car parking.

The conservation team at Shropshire Council investigated the buildings to see whether they could be listed as being nationally significant.

However, while they were felt not to merit the status, the buildings were still of regional significance and worth preserving.

Concerns were also raised about the scale and design of the proposed buildings on the site, which is close to two conservation areas.

Developers amended their designs to reduce the number of apartments, and make the buildings smaller, but planning officers at Shropshire Council decided the scheme was still not acceptable.

The plans were turned down by council officers using delegated powers on Monday.

Frank Whitley, case officer for Shropshire Council, said the proposal "fails to attribute sufficient importance to the historic significance of the site and its existing heritage asset", and that demolition of the heritage asset would be "unjustified".

He added that it would "dominate the street scene" and fail to add to the "distinctive qualities" of Innage Gardens Conservation Area and Bridgnorth Conservation Area.