Masterplan will celebrate and protect Shrewsbury's heritage, says report

It comes after concerns were been raised over a number of issues with regards to the plan, including whether new developments would be tasteful and in-keeping with historic aspects of the town.

But the report released about future plans for a new river walkway on Smithfield Road as well as other more pedestrian friendly developments, claim conservation has been considered.

Shrewsbury Civic Society's Byron Grainger-Jones said he didn't see that the Big Town plan was doing much to protect historic architecture.

The report states: “The masterplan was developed from a baseline understanding of Shrewsbury’s historic status, and how the different study areas ‘worked together’ to create the town’s special sense of place.

“The overall intention was to strengthen this sense of place, creating new places which reflect Shrewsbury’s ambition for the future, while enhancing and investing in historic places which already hold meaning in the town’s development.”

The Big Town Festival, a series of presentations and discussions on the masterplan, is currently ongoing, and next Wednesday there will be a more in-depth talk on heritage.

David Milner from Create Streets will also present some of their recent work about what makes a place successful and popular with particular reference to heritage.

Professor Tim Jenkins, of University Centre Shrewsbury, who is among the panel discussing the issues at the event, said there needed to be a balance between protecting the town’s history and moving forward.

“We are all quite rightly proud and protective of Shrewsbury’s heritage, because it is a major element of the town’s identity,” he said.

“We need to celebrate Shrewsbury’s heritage while ensuring the town remains sustainable in a 21st Century economy, and that’s why having a clear strategy like the Big Town Plan is so important.”

The masterplan, aimed at sparking debate about the future of the town, was released last week and explores ideas including creating a new northern entrance to the railway station and a riverside walkway and park by re-routing traffic away from Smithfield Road, and revitalising the Abbey Foregate viaduct to provide space for businesses and community events.

Several priority projects are listed in the plan, including the development of Riverside and Frankwell, the re-purposing of Pride Hill Shopping Centre which could become a cinema, and the council moving out of Shirehall and into a town centre site. Improvements to the railway station, reducing traffic and re-imagining bus services are also high priorities.

To watch future discussions or view previous ones, visit festival.shrewsburybigtownplan.org