Bridgnorth business group disappointed as shops plan approved for car park site
A group representing Bridgnorth's businesses has expressed disappointment at the approval of plans to build shops on a town car park.
Steve Robbins, chairman of Bridgnorth's Chamber of Commerce, said the group had done everything it could to stop the Smithfield proposal.
The plans, which include five new shops, were approved following a planning inquiry.
Steve Robbins, chairman of Bridgnorth Chamber of Commerce, said: "Obviously we are very disappointed with the decision, we did everything we could to prevent the loss of so many parking spaces, which we believe will have a negative impact on the town."
More than 6,800 people signed a petition organised by the chamber in opposition to the plans.
Mr Robbins was also critical of Shropshire Council for its support of the development.
He said: "We were surprised by the decision of Shropshire Council to use taxpayers' money to appoint their own barrister and provide their own expert witnesses to support the applicant at the public inquiry, despite the objections of over 6,000 people who shop in Bridgnorth, the traders and the town council.
"We are surprised that despite the evidence we gave, the inspector accepted their argument that there is no real parking problem in the town and the new development will, at worst, only lead to a shortage of 40 spaces for one hour on a Saturday, and people should look to alternative methods of transport."
Mr Robbins said the chamber's focus would now shift to doing what they can to protect the town's existing shops.
He said: "The secretary of state has decided the application can proceed, we have to accept that and now look to work even harder as a community to support our local shops and do what we can to maintain their viability."
In approving the planning inspector's decision, government minister James Brokenshire dismissed fears the development would take trade away from the High Street.
The site will include five new shops of a size designed to attract new retailers that cannot currently be accommodated in the town centre.
Developers claim it will increase choice and stop people travelling from the town to Telford.
Planning inspector Karen Ridge said the positives of the proposal outweighed the negatives and that the plans would create jobs.
“The proposal would bring economic investment and activity to Bridgnorth,” Ms Ridge said.
“It would result in additional job creation, there would be the clawback of expenditure and more sustainable travel patterns and a small environmental benefit in terms of the improvement to the setting of the Bridgnorth Conservation Area.
“All of these factors weigh in favour of the grant of planning permission.”
