The leader of Shrewsbury Town Council has slammed a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Transport to grant a stopping up order on part of Shrewsbury’s historic town Square.
Councillor Peter Nutting said he was ‘disappointed’ in the report by inspector John Wilde which recommends the order, to part of the pavement outside Princess House, be made without modification.
He warned the decision, which will allow the existing shop frontages to be moved forward, would have an ‘adverse’ effect on the Square.
He said: “I am really surprised and disappointed at the inspector’s decision and think this development will have an adverse effect on use of the Square. However, both Shrewsbury Town Council and Shropshire Council will be working together to ensure that The Square remains as an important part of the cultural life of Shrewsbury with a full program of events this summer.”
Shrewsbury Town Council, Shop in the Loop, the Civic Society and Shrewsbury Town Centre Residents Association, and Shropshire Councillor Andrew Bannerman, have all stood firmly against the proposals.
Each gave evidence at a public inquiry on January 29 at which it was argued granting the order would result in 750 fewer people being accommodated at major events in the Square, the impact of which could be potential cancellation of family favourites including the Christmas lights switch-on and Carols in the Square due to fears for crowd safety.
Concerns were also raised regarding how the reduction of public space, around seven per cent, would impact on the existing café culture in the Square.
However, the report to the Secretary of State concluded that ‘the small reduction in size of The Square would not threaten its financial or social viability’ and that ‘the loss of one row of tables would not have a significantly detrimental effect on the ambiance of The Square.’
The report argues that the ‘redevelopment would improve access arrangements for the disabled’ and concludes ‘whilst acknowledging the strongly held views of members of the local community…these matters do not outweigh the benefits that would accrue from the implementation of the SUO.’
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