2018 date given for Shrewsbury student halls plan
Plans to build hundreds of student rooms in the centre of Shrewsbury could become a reality by 2018, according to council bosses.
The student halls proposal at the former Tannery in Barker Street, which could house 217 students, has been on hold since it was put under review earlier this year.
The project was unveiled in August 2015 and was initially intended to be completed in time for the start of the 2016/17 term.
Optimistic
However, in February both the council and University Centre Shrewsbury said they were putting the plans on hold while they assessed the number of students expected to join the institution.
Today, Shropshire Council chief executive Clive Wright said the authority was optimistic the demand for the accommodation could be there for the 2018/19 academic year. He said: "Current plans are to use it as and when appropriate but we do know we will have to make that decision at least a year before we need it ready.
"We won't require it next year but we are optimistic that by the year after we would see that demand there. That site is the current plan to accommodate those students."
The proposal to build the halls, from Morris Guildhall Student Partnership, was approved by Shropshire Council's central planning committee in October last year and the site, which includes the former sixth form college, is jointly owned by Shropshire Council and Morris Property.
Council leader Malcolm Pate said having a university in Shropshire is an important part of being able to attract investment.
