£1.5 million price tag for old Ellesmere railway yard
Ellesmere 's disused railway yard has been put up for sale for more than £1.5 million, with planning permission for 57 houses.
Planning consent for 57 houses was granted at the site at Old Station Yard in Ellesmere last year, despite claims the land was providing an overnight car park for lorry drivers.
However, in the application it was argued that there was no truth to the claim the site was in use, and that it had in fact not been used since 2006.
Now the 4.35-acre site is up for sale, with a price tag of £1.55 million.
The site also includes a 6,800 square feet, Grade II Listed former station building, with its platform and canopy still intact, which is not part of the planning consent.
The station closed in 1965 as part of Dr Richard Beeching's swingeing nationwide cuts to the railways.
Ellesmere Station was situated on what became the Cambrian Railway main line from Whitchurch to Welshpool. The site was then used as part of the Fullwoods site, but has not been used for industrial purposes for several years.
Last year councillor Geoff Elner, of Ellesmere Town Council, said the authority was "110 per cent" against the application and described it as over-development of the site.
Fears were also raised about traffic building up in the area. But committee members ruled in favour of the developers.
Councillor Vince Hunt, Shropshire councillor for Oswestry West, described the site as "a mess" and said something needed to be done about it.
Councillor John Cadwallader, for Market Drayton East, said he was in favour of the proposal because it would provide a purpose for a currently disused site.
He said: "It is a no-brainer. It brings land back into use."
Agents Halls Commercial describe the former station is an interesting building with great potential for conversion to eight residential apartments, subject to planning consent.
"This is a superb development opportunity in one of the most sought after towns in Shropshire," said James Evans, manager of Halls Commercial's Shrewsbury office. Residential properties on this interesting and well situated development will certainly be in great demand."
