Campaign to stop car park development raises thousands
Campaigners attempting to stop a controversial shopping development have raised thousands of pounds in just two weeks.
Bridgnorth’s Chamber of Commerce launched the fundraising campaign to employ a "top barrister" to represent them at a planning inquiry into the Smithfield development.
The plan would see five shops built on the land between Sainsbury’s and the medical centre, which would result in the loss of 145 spaces.
Now, after the campaign was launched just two weeks ago, more than £6,500 has already been raised by the group – with an extra £10,000 pledged by businesses in the town.
Steve Robbins, chairman of the chamber, said the legal costs of preparing the case for the inquiry were considerable.
He said: “We’ve already raised more than £16,000 and are appealing to the town's businesses to support our campaign. We have also placed collection tins around the town so that shoppers can contribute.
“We need to ensure our case against the development is based on solid legal grounds and delivered, and to that end the chamber has employed the services of a top barrister.
"We are also commissioning a specialist consultant to provide supporting evidence about how the loss of parking would affect the town."
After plans were approved by Shropshire Council's planning committee, the chamber contacted the Secretary of State Sajid Javid, who made the decision to put the planning application by Ziran Ltd before an inquiry.
The decision on whether to allow the development to go ahead will be made by Secretary of State himself following the inquiry.
The public inquiry is set to take place in November this year.
Adrian Tacchi, the chamber’s membership secretary, said this was a further opportunity for residents to show their feelings on the proposals.
He said: “We have got more than 8,000 signatures on our petition against the development and it would be great to show the inquiry that people of the town are so committed to saving our car park that they have funded the legal challenge.”
To help raise the necessary funds the chamber is organising a Grease Night on September 8, and later that month a golf day at Bridgnorth Golf Club.
Collection tins for the campaign are in a number of shops including Tanner’s, Liage, The Friars and Foxalls.
An online fundraising campaign has also been launched by the chamber.
The developer Ziran Ltd declined to comment.
For information go to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/saveoldsmithfield.
