£100,000 square for Wem back on track

Controversial proposals to create a town square in Wem look set to go ahead after council chiefs set aside £100,000 for the project.

The scheme, which has been in the pipeline since 2003, involves land at the lorry park between the Co-op and White Lion pub, but concerns have been raised it will become a "white elephant" and the money should be spent on attracting more shoppers into the town.

The square looked in doubt earlier this year after it lost money as part of Shropshire Council cuts.

But at yesterday's unitary council cabinet meeting at Shirehall members agreed to give the project financial backing.

The square plans have met with divided opinion from people in Wem, with some claiming it will breathe new life into the town, while others say it is a waste of money.

Councillor Mandy Meakin welcomed news the project was back on the cards thanks to financial backing from Shropshire Council.

She said: "That's brilliant. I am thrilled. At last something can be done to improve the area.

"I don't want any more discussions on it. I just want to see it get done."

But John Murray, town councillor and owner of Wem Treacle Mine on High Street, said: "Some townspeople think it will become a white elephant and will not improve the town.

"It is not what we require at the moment. We need to spend it on getting people to use the shops in the town."

Councillor Peggy Carson, of Wem Town Council, said previously it was a waste of money which could be better spent on something else.

Simon Alton, spokesman for Shropshire Council, said: "£100,000 has been put into the capital programme for the Wem town square project, although there is no firm timescale for when any work may start."

At a unitary council meeting earlier this year it lost its funding as part of Shirehall's battle to keep costs down.

The scheme was originally to be funded from money set aside to benefit Wem after the former North Shropshire District Council sold off its housing stock.

By James Pugh