New Telford aerial photo shows progress on £250m Southwater development
It is a landscape that is being changed for ever, providing the people of Telford with a new shopping and entertainment centre.
Telford & Wrekin Council have released this aerial photograph showing the progress being made to create the Southwater development in the town centre.
It gives a clear view of the much maligned "green shed" which is set to be bulldozed as part of the £250 million scheme.
The ugly former Focus store, which earned the nickname from locals, can be seen on the bottom left of the photograph but it will soon disappear from the landscape.
Many consider it a blot on the landscape as it rubs shoulders with the ultra-modern development of shops, bars, hotels and public buildings which is taking shape in Southwater and due to start opening from the end of this month.
Telford & Wrekin Council has now received a planning application to level the bright green-clad old store which can be seen standing out in stark contrast to the sleek buildings going up around it.
It is owned by Telford Trust and agents G L Hearn have submitted the demolition plans on the organisation's behalf.
Claire Graham, planning associate with the agents, said the building was empty, considered unsightly and past its useful life as it did not meet modern retailer requirements – particularly for town centre shops.
"Overall, it is at odds with the ongoing development of Southwater Quarter and the wider future vision of Telford Town Centre," she said.
A phased opening of the much-vaunted Southwater redevelopment is expected to begin from the end of this month and continue through the summer.
