A Shrewsbury collective is consulting on proposals for a significant town centre revamp, which includes demolishing its Riverside shopping centre.
The Big Town Plan – developed by architect LDA Design, Shrewsbury BID, Shropshire Council, and Shrewsbury Town Council – sets out a vision for how the town could look by 2036.
LDA said Shrewsbury’s planners and decision makers have “gone a step further” than the second Grimsey review, which was published in July, pointing to its potential to become a “blueprint” for other county towns.
The plan suggests removing the Riverside shopping centre and nearby multi-storey car park in favour of a mixed-use riverside quarter.
“This would include higher density housing, new workspaces, new food and drink venues set around a new public promenade stepping down to the river.”
The collective said there was also an opportunity to divert traffic onto Raven Meadows to create a traffic-free promenade on Smithfield Road, next to the river.
LDA said it has taken a “landscape-led” approach by researching the needs of its local residents, as well as taking into account the town’s physical qualities: its river loop, medieval quarters, parks and green spaces.
Its overarching aim is to direct investment in new housing and start-ups from its periphery into the centre. The group’s objectives include:
■ Rethinking movement and place
■ Supporting, creating and nurturing town vitality and a mix of uses
■ Creating a place for enterprise
■ Boosting “natural Shrewsbury”.
Alan Mosley, leader of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: “It presents a series of realistic, practical and sustainable aspirations; together with a clear plan of how we can get there.
“It is ambitious and bold in putting people at the heart of the town so it becomes an even better place to live, visit, work and invest.”
Seb Slater, executive director of Shrewsbury BID, added: “This final draft reshapes the physical public realm and matches it with an outstanding public experience, revolutionising movement around the town and attracting vital investment.”
A consultation on the scheme is underway, with a pop-up exhibition running until Wednesday 19 September.
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