Flats pan for major town centre location
A block of 40 flats and 10 offices could be built in Shrewsbury's town centre under plans submitted to Shropshire Council.
The Gap car park in Raven Meadows has been earmarked for the nine-storey building, while a new pedestrian access will also be created to Pride Hill along with a viewing platform for a section of the historic town walls.
Apartments will have between one and three bedrooms and will all include balconies overlooking a central courtyard, with those facing the road also having balconies with views towards the river.
Parking for residents and visitors will be provided on the lower three levels, and 30 of the 104 proposed spaces will have electric vehicle charging points.
The applicant, Morris Property, says the scheme aligns with the aspirations of the Big Town Plan and is an improvement on previous proposals for a multi-storey car park or retail complex on the site.
A design and access statement by the applicant’s agent Base Architects says the site is in “an ideal position for sustainable development” due to its proximity to public transport and the town centre.
A bridge will link the back of the building to the ground floor of 14 Pride Hill, currently run as an phone repair shop, which will be opened out to create a passageway through to the street.
The statement says: “The proposed development looks to create 40 one to three bedroom apartments with stunning views across the River Severn and 10 offices with individual facilities.
“Parking at the lower levels will provide ample spaces associated with the residential units alongside space for visitor parking.
“The (design) has been heavily inspired by the significant buildings in the surrounding vernacular to ensure that the proposed development appears as a natural addition to the town.
“The Big Town Plan values the accessibility from Pride Hill to the Riverside as a key consideration in the town’s development.
“The proposal will greatly improve the access between Pride Hill and Raven Meadows via a land bridge accessed directly off the high street.”
To the rear of the building at the third floor will be public viewing platform overlooking a section of the town walls.
The statement says: “The visibility of the scheduled monument is limited from the existing car park as a boundary fence and raised platform separates it from view.
“To preserve and enhance the accessibility to view the historic asset, a proposed viewing platform is positioned to overlook the listed monument.
“The viewing platform will be accessible directly from the high street via the connected bridge and internal circulation.
“It will be positioned level with the centre of the wall to provide a clear and unobstructed view of the historic town wall.”
The planning application will now be decided by Shropshire Council.
