Shrewsbury Civic Society will object to plans for The Stew if they are not changed

The news comes after a fresh plan was unveiled to redevelop The Stew, by Theatre Severn, in Frankwell, Shrewsbury, which has been at the centre of a long-running planning dispute.

The fresh proposals by Gallery and Design Developments, say that the new plan will retain 75 per cent of the existing building.

The plans include a ground-floor spa, coffee shop, office space and garages, an additional floor with a newly designed floating gutter free roof, with seven residential apartments on the upper floors.

There would also be an extension to the eastern facade of the building.

But the chairman of Shrewsbury Civic Society, Byron Grainger-Jones, said that the roof is “an odd shape” and the design of the building needs to be saved.

He added: “We had a presentation from the architect back in the summer and we raised various points over the design.

“The roof was an odd shape and the extra storey on the top isn’t right.

“Whilst I’m not against accommodation as such, I am if it distorts the whole building.

“I don’t think the flat roof fits in at all.

“If the application is submitted with the flat roof and extra storey as it was when we saw the plans then we will be objecting to Shropshire Council.

“As much as possible, the design of the building needs to be saved, it needs to be a sensitive approach.

“We have a good relationship with the planning authority, we are grateful that they listen to us.”

But chairwoman of the Shropshire Business Board, Mandy Thorn, has said the proposed scheme would bring a valuable commercial boost to the area.

She said: “With a spa, coffee shop and offices, it will draw people to the Frankwell area and that can only be a positive move. Its location on the riverside and by a major car park would encourage more people to explore the area.”

“Individual schemes like this back up the on-going economic wellbeing of our county town and should be welcomed.”

A previous plan to demolish The Stew and replace it with a hotel was the subject of a protracted planning dispute, and considerable opposition from Shrewsbury’s Civic Society, which argued against the proposal on the grounds of the building’s historical importance to the town.

The plan was ultimately turned down at a planning inquiry in 2015.

A number of attempts to have the building listed have also been turned down, with Historic England rejecting the latest earlier this year.