Restaurant and flats plan in Ludlow town centre finally unveiled

Plans for an 11-home building and eatery on the site of Ludlow's One Stop shop in Tower Street have emerged following months of speculation after Macham Investments bought the premises last year.

The shop, which stands next to the larger Co-operative supermarket, one of the main entrances into the town centre, currently houses the main post office.

The plans, which have yet to be submitted to Shropshire Council, are on display at Ludlow Library and will be debated by Ludlow Town Council tonight.

Ludlow architect Trevor Hewett, who has drawn up plans for the historically-inspired four-storey building, said: "The site lies on the edge of the central conservation area at an important gateway to the historic town.

"The proposed building will repair the street frontage and, with a varied roofscape of clay tiled roofs and gabled, lime-rendered elevations, will harmonise with the surrounding buildings.

"The important vista of the tower of St Laurence's Church will be preserved, framed by the new building."

Mr Hewitt said the new upper floors would contain 10 two-bedroom apartments over a restaurant or retail unit.

The stone building housing refuse bins next door would become an entrance area for the apartments, while a two-bedroom 'town-house' would occupy the floors above it.

Andy Boddington, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North, said the proposal was an improvement on the current "horrid building" occupied by One Stop but he still had concerns.

He said: "This is an attractive proposal but I have my doubts about the scale of the new building. The roofline is 2.4 metres, nearly eight feet, above that of the Co-op store. I think this is too high for the location.

"I don't know whether we need a new restaurant in Ludlow. A McDonald's would be popular but outlets for multi-national fast food companies will not fit well with the historic character of our town. A more upmarket restaurateur might widen the variety of food on offer in the town but could also undermine the viability of existing restaurants.

"I am also concerned that we are drifting towards a town where you can buy a cup of coffee but not a shirt for your back. But my greatest worry is for the future of the post office."