Riverside Shopping Centre: Previous planning would 'weigh heavily' in new scheme
Expired planning permission for Shrewsbury’s stalled shopping centres revamp would “weigh heavily” in deciding whether to approve any new plan, according to a council official.
Ian Kilby, Shropshire Council’s planning services manager, said that despite the previous planning consent having lapsed the council was committed to the regeneration of Shrewsbury’s town centre.
The comments come amid speculation over the future of town’s shopping centres, with the council having previously admitted that it is considering its “role in the future of the three main shopping centres in Shrewsbury”.
The Darwin and Pride Hill Centres were part of a 2012 plan to redevelop the Riverside Centre and to link the three with a department store as an anchor tenant.
Planning permission was granted in 2012 but, the project, which was estimated to cost around £150 million at the time, was put on hold only 12 months later.
Mr Kilby said: “Planning permission would now be required for any new buildings in the context of the original scheme having lapsed. Notwithstanding this, the previous planning permission approval would weigh heavily in the consideration, and the council’s adopted planning policy remains committed to the wider regeneration of the town centre.”
Shropshire Council owns the freehold of the Riverside Centre, and UK Commercial Property Trust (UKCPT) holds a long lease of the centre. Standard Life Investments are the asset managers for UKCPT.
Planning guidance issued from Shropshire Council as part of an application for a Sports Direct shop at Meole Brace Retail park stated: “The New Riverside scheme gained an approval in 2012, and it is acknowledged the delivery of this scheme faced delays. The approval has recently lapsed. However, it is also clear the site’s owners UKCPT continue to be committed to the site’s redevelopment in the medium term.”
“The New Riverside scheme should therefore continue to be considered a major town centre investment opportunity and therefore requires suitable and appropriate protection.”
