Step Forward For Ambitious Shrewsbury Regeneration Scheme
Plans to regenerate Shrewsbury town centre have taken another step forward after a public consultation was launched. BBC News reports that the public is being consulted on the second and third development phase, and the process will run until 5 March. The Smithfield Riverside regeneration scheme is part of a masterplan to transform the town centre.
The first of four phased planning applications was submitted in December 2023, and the outcome is expected within the next few months. The regeneration focuses on the area between the River Severn, the Darwin Centre, Roushill and Raven Meadows. Shropshire Council will apply for permission to demolish the closed Riverside Shopping Centre.
Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council, said: “The Council and our project team are pleased to be starting the next phase of public consultation on Smithfield Riverside and showcasing our exceptional vision to transform this area of the town centre.”
He added: “Building on the exciting planning application for Roushill Park, these subsequent proposals provide us with a strong blueprint to deliver a dynamic mix of food and drink venues, a new cinema, hotel, shops, homes and workspaces over the coming years – helping us draw more visitors, residents, businesses and jobs into Shrewsbury.”
“The design of the scheme looks really special, with the architecture respecting our unique heritage and identity, while also delivering a modern and dynamic offering for the communities of Shropshire.”
The scheme is being funded with an £19m award from the government’s levelling -up fund. More planning applications are set to follow, which are predicted to focus on developing more residential, commercial, cultural and leisure facilities in the town centre, including a new public park and a hotel.
Elsewhere, Insider Media reports that Allsee Technologies, a West Midlands based electronics manufacturer, have submitted plans to build a headquarters and digital technology centre at Longbridge Business Park close to Birmingham. They propose to construct an 80,000 sq ft facility that will create around 150 new jobs.
Baoli Zhao, managing director at Allsee, said: “We’re incredibly proud and excited to contribute to Longbridge Business Park’s growth story. With a deep appreciation for the area’s rich history in technology and manufacturing, we are thrilled to be part of Longbridge’s growing reputation as a hub for science, technology, precision engineering and R&D.
He added: “We also want to share a heartfelt commendation to St Modwen for their dedication to the area’s regeneration. As we embark on this exciting journey, we look forward to fostering growth, collaboration, and creating more job opportunities within Birmingham and the wider West Midlands area.”
Rob Flavell, senior director at St Modwen, said: “Once again we are seeing that leading global companies want to have a base at Longbridge. This exciting new digital technology manufacturing facility for Allsee will bring yet more specialist expertise to the area.
“This is good news for the local and regional economies and will ensure that the work undertaken by St Modwen in recent years will benefit the area for many years to come.”
Longbridge is well recognised as the birthplace of the UK’s vehicle manufacturing industry. The Austin was once the largest car factory in Europe, and saw many famous models including the Mini roll off the production line. However, the history of the industrial site can be traced back to 1895 when it became home to a copper plate printing factory.
The factory closed in 1901, but soon after in 1905 Herbert Austin chose Longbridge as the site for the newly formed Austin Motor Company. The factory was greatly expanded during World War One to manufacture military vehicles, equipment and warplanes. In the interwar period, it saw the development of the highly popular Baby Austin, a small motorcar.
During the Second World War, some of Britain’s most iconic warplanes were made at a secret underground Longbridge factory, including Lancaster Bombers and Hurricanes. In the fifties, the Austin company merged with Morris, leading to the creation of the Morris Minor Mini, or simply the Mini as most people called it.
Sadly, as the British car manufacturing industry began to decline during the 70s and 80s, production slowed, and eventually the car plant closed in 2016. However, many new businesses have since invested in Longbridge and today the site is thriving.
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