First plans submitted for Shrewsbury town centre riverside regeneration project

Following weeks of public consultation this autumn, the first in a series of planning applications for the Smithfield Riverside regeneration project in Shrewsbury is now submitted.

Led by Shropshire Council and its development manager, RivingtonHark, Smithfield Riverside is the ambitious regeneration project set to transform the area between the River Severn, Darwin Centre, Roushill and Raven Meadows in Shrewsbury town centre.

The first of four ‘phase one’ planning applications has now been submitted. Funded by almost £19m of Levelling Up money from UK Government, the plans, if approved, would see the demolition of the Riverside shopping centre and former Riverside medical practice.

This would pave the way for key enabling works, clearing the site and creating a landmark new public park adjacent to Roushill, helping to ‘breathe new life’ into the area, creating a ‘green and attractive’ public meeting place, and improving biodiversity in the town centre.

The park will feature play equipment for visitors of different ages, as well as a dedicated events and performance area. Future ‘phase one’ public consultations and subsequent planning applications are already being developed for the wider Smithfield Riverside masterplan, which has been designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects.

These evolving proposals include modern offices, new homes and a new leisure offer with restaurants and a cinema. The next planning application is due in early 2024.

Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council, commented: “This is an important milestone for the future of Shrewsbury and of Shropshire.

“A great deal of work has taken place to get us to this stage and we are excited to submit our first of several planning applications, as we look to begin the transformation of this key area in our town centre and after many years and much talk, this starts becoming a reality.

“It’s been great to see the plans receive such an overwhelmingly positive response. The project is the heartbeat of our plans to attract new visitors, residents, businesses and jobs into Shrewsbury, and grow the county’s economy.

“Although this specific application relates to the proposed public park on Roushill, it was great to start conversations about the wider masterplan in general and future phases. We appreciate that there is a clear desire from the public to understand how public transport and car travel will change over the coming years in-and-around the town centre.

“These early conversations will serve us well as we enter formal public consultation on the Movement Strategy in 2024.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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