Square needs a plan to make Shrewsbury proud

Trying to redevelop an historic part of Shrewsbury is always going to be an emotive subject, let alone a planning minefield writes Dave Burrows.

Listed buildings in protected areas are, quite rightly, fiercely guarded.

But if you stagnate you die.

Any redevelopment of the Square was always going to get more backs up than most. As well as being the town's historic centre, it is known by everyone. It is the one place you can say: "I'll meet you there" and know that they'll be able to find it.

So it is no surprise that when developers said they wanted to push the shop fronts on Princess House forward so the intrude further into the Square that what followed was the sound of breath being drawn in over the teeth and a chorus of 'oohs' and 'tut-tuts' from the likes of English Heritage, the town council, Shop In The Loop and, yep you guessed it, the Town Centre Residents Association.

They fear that such a move will cause substantial harm to the existing historic buildings such as the Old Market Hall.

But, as my dear old ma would say, hold your foot up a second (no, I've no idea what that means, either).

Remember all the hoo-ha about said Old Market Hall?

"They want to turn it into a cinema?" came the outraged cry.

"They want to put a...a...a...LIFT? On the...OUTSIDE?"

"Sacrilege!"

"They'll ruin the building!"

"They'll ruin the whole town!"

But what do we have? A lovely, shiny cinema which has become an incredibly popular attraction and brough a disused building back into use.

And it looks, frankly, wonderful.

Don't get me wrong - I believe the groups which have objected were absolutely right to. We need people to be guardians of our heritage or it will be lost forever.

Having looked at the amended plans, English Heritage says they are more acceptable. The others, however remain to be convinced.

I don't believe any of them would argue that the current look of the shop fronts at Princess House to anything to enhance the look of the Square, so clearly something needs to be done.

Hopefully everyone involved can work together and come up with a plan which is a benefit to all and something for Shrewsbury to be proud of.

Just like that apparently under threat Old Market Hall.