NEWS
Plans for Oswestry Town Centre development are presented to
Shropshire County Council
J Ross Developments submitted its planning application for a town centre food store scheme on the Central Car Park on the same day that three other applicants had plans before the council.
The J Ross proposal includes a mid-sized supermarket with cafe, an increased number of spaces on Central Car Park as well as a new long stay car park on Middleton Road, providing a total increase of 208 spaces.
It also includes the provision of additional shops on English Walls and investment in the town centre road network to increase safety and capacity.
There is also a 170 seat digital cinema with flexible space provided enabling live entertainment events to be staged. Spencer Cooper of J Ross Developments said; "The people of Oswestry as well as a number of important local groups have told us what they want. We have responded, submitting a proposal which has been revised in line with feedback given at our public consultation in April, 2009 - lowering the heights of the building, enhancing the designs and improving pedestrian links with the rest of the town centre."
The application rivals proposals for supermarkets to be built on the sites of the Smithfield Livestock Market, Richard Burbridges and the JT Hughes and Guttercrest site. Only one of the projects will get the go ahead.
Oswestry Chamber of Trade backs Town Centre scheme
Oswestry Chamber of Trade has written to Shropshire County Council to make its views formally known on the current multi-use development applications for the town.
The letter confirms that the majority of traders are against any new developments but in the event that there is a demonstrated need for a new supermarket the chamber's preference is that it should be met in the town centre.
The town centre scheme submitted by J Ross Developments is one of four rival proposals due to go before Shropshire Council's strategic planning committee within the next few months. The other out of town schemes involve the redevelopment of the Smithfield Livestock Market on Shrewsbury Road, Richard Burbidge and J.T. Hughes & Guttercrest sites.
Chamber members reached their decision at their last meeting following presentations from representatives of both the Burbidges and J Ross Developments, having already studied the J.T. Hughes and Livestock Market plans.
"Having considered each planning application the members were unanimous in their support for the town centre scheme proposals on the Central Car Park," said Chamber chairman Yossi Glicksman.
"The majority of traders in Oswestry would prefer to see the town centre developing through investments of capital from individual business and local government funding for the indoor and outdoor markets," said Mr Glicksman.
"But if we are to have a new superstore in Oswestry there are strong reasons why we would support and ask the Council to approve the town centre scheme on the grounds that it is in line with the objectives of Government policy.
"We would expect officers to resolve technical details to ensure the scheme works satisfactorily."
The Chamber say that the scheme put forward by J Ross Developments, accords with national, regional and local planning policies designed to protect town centres and was the only ‘prime' site identified by Nathanial Litchfield & Partners who were engaged by Shropshire County Council as retail advisors.
"Presentations to the Chamber highlighted the digital cinema, included as part of the scheme, which will attract people to the town centre and benefit both day and night economies, our members thought it would have synergy with existing restaurants and bars.
"We believe that the site will reinforce the centre, providing more choice and drawing people into the town, increasing footfall to the existing high street and ensuring a sustainable future for this important market town," said Mr Glicksman.
And the Chamber believes that the development will not only ensure the viability of existing town centre shops but lead to a take-up of empty premises, providing additional employment.
"Retailers are particularly concerned about what has happened in Ellesmere and Wrexham, where out-of-town proposals have taken people away from the town centre resulting in a growing number of empty units," said Mr Glicksman.
"We don't want to make the same mistake and it was therefore decided that any out-of-town proposal would have an unacceptable impact on the future viability and vitality of the existing retail centre of Oswestry.
"It is clear that there are strong reasons for the Council to support the town centre scheme. The proposals are in line with Government policy, while the three alternatives are not, as acknowledged by the Council's own retail advisers," he added.
The developers proposals for investment in infrastructure and increased car parking provision in the town centre, splitting long and short stay arrangements, were also welcomed by Chamber members.
"Our members are concerned to ensure that disruption is minimised during construction and that the scheme works properly once completed," added Mr Glicksman.
"However we also want a busy and vibrant town centre, and our members understand that the consequence of economic development and a prosperous town centre will be more traffic in the town."
It is anticipated that the four competing scheme proposals will be taken to the Shropshire Council's Strategic Regulatory Committee early in the New Year, who will then be asked to make a decision on Oswestry's future.