Plans for Shrewsbury retail park expansion approved
A major expansion of Shrewsbury's Meole Brace Retail Park has been given the go-ahead – paving the way for the creation of a new supermarket at the site.
Shropshire Council officers have given the green light for the creation of three new retail units next to the TK Maxx store.
The creation of the new outlets, which will involve the removal of more than a dozen trees, is expected to bring new national chains, including a coffee house and a sandwich shop, to the out-of-town retail park.
When the plans were first revealed in October after being submitted on behalf of Coal Pension Properties, developers said it was expected either Subway or Greggs would take on one unit, with Costa Coffee or Café Nero expected in another.
The third unit will be the new home of Carphone Warehouse, which is relocating from its current location on the retail park to make way for a new supermarket, the identity of which is yet to be confirmed.
The planning permission granted for the three new units will pave the way for work to start on the building of the new food store.
The supermarket, which is expected to create about 80 jobs, was given planning approval in July but no announcement has yet been made on what company will run it or when work will begin.
Shrewsbury Town Council had objected to the plans for the three new units, citing concerns about the potential impact on town centre businesses, as well as fears the extra businesses will add to existing traffic problems at the retail park.
Council case officer Andrew Gittins said the small size of the new units made it "unlikely" they would have an adverse impact on town centre traders. He added that highways officers had not objected and considered the current layout of the retail park would serve the units.
