Architect vents fear of Shrewsbury town centre pollution

Pollution caused by the building of a £150 million shopping centre in Shrewsbury will pose serious dangers to the health of nearby workers, a top architect today claimed.

Carl Huntley, managing director of Base Architecture and Design, on Roushill, Shrewsbury, has lodged objections to the New Riverside shopping centre which could create up to 700 jobs if given the go-ahead by Shropshire Council.

He said his firm had already found pollution levels to be high after completing a design project recently on Smithfield Road and claimed carbon dioxide emissions would rise to dangerous levels if the major scheme won approval.

Mr Huntley, who is also chairman of Shropshire Constructing Excellence, said an increase in construction and delivery vehicles gave him genuine concerns for the 11 staff he employed, plus three others working at WDW Architects in the same office, and has urged developers to revise the scale of the centre.

He said: "The increase in delivery traffic will increase the levels of pollution on Roushill.

"We have genuine concerns about the health of our staff. We know from work we have undertaken near the bus station on the Smithfield Road that the levels are already high in this area. What provisions for the control of emissions have been put in place?"

In September pollution levels in Shrewsbury town centre were rated as 'unacceptable' by Shropshire Council which said that nitrogen dioxide levels were 'likely' to be breaching European standards.

Mr Huntley added: "My objection is based on scale and the welfare of my staff and the other occupants of the office.

"I would welcome a rethink in terms of the scale bringing the eaves in line with the existing building and an appropriate plan and compensation to deal with the other matters."

See also:

• Leader: Riverside revamp is perfect for jobs boost

• 700 jobs on way in Shrewsbury with Riverside rebuild

• Shrewsbury mall site neighbours fear huge disruption