Shrewsbury Riverside: Residents give first take on biggest town centre changes in decades

Shropshire Council has been hosting its first public consultation session on plans to demolish and redevelop the Riverside area of the town.

The multi-stage proposals were unveiled last week and people have been getting their first chance to share their feelings on the ideas.

The session, which was held at the Shropshire Local unit in the Darwin Centre, comes after the council's cabinet approved the opening of a consultation, and agreed to submit a planning application for the first stage of the project at the conclusion of the public discussions.

The planning application, intended for submission in November, would include the demolition of the Riverside Shopping Centre and former Riverside Medical Practice and the creation of a new 'Roushill Park'.

It is intended to be the first of four planning applications over the coming year, which would focus on the regeneration of the first zone of the project – featuring offices and homes, as well as a new leisure site including restaurants and a cinema.

The plan for the overall site falls into four zones, with the initial consultation, which runs until November 15, focusing on the first zone.

The response from the first group to view the plans was overwhelmingly positive – with a consensus that the current Riverside development has outstayed its welcome.

There were though concerns about how the plans will cope with the inevitable River Severn flooding, as well as the architectural approach for the buildings intended for the site.

Bethany Hinton, 47, who lives on Smithfield Road – a key area for the proposals, said she welcomed the prospect of creating a park on Roushill.

She said: "I think they have been planning something for that area for like 30 years or so, so it is probably about time."

She added: "I think it will be super and I am looking forward to the little park coming in, as long as Sabrina behaves herself.