Green light for new £8m Travelodge in Shrewsbury town centre

An 83-bed Travelodge will be built in Shrewsbury town centre – next to one of the county’s most important historic buildings – after plans were approved by councillors.

The application for the four-storey hotel was voted through by Shropshire Council’s northern planning committee despite concerns about the “overbearing” impact the building would have on the Grade II* listed Rowley’s House and Mansion.

Councillors were divided over the design of the building, with some saying it went against national planning policies and did not align with the aspirations of the Big Town Plan, while others said it would elevate the area.

The hotel will be built on what is currently Barker Street car park, with three shop units on the ground floor.

The meeting on Tuesday afternoon heard the scheme was re-submitted after an earlier proposal was withdrawn last year following extensive criticism.

Philip Mullineux, the council’s development manager for the north of the county, told the committee that lengthy discussions with the applicants had also seen the building re-designed twice since submission of the latest plans.

Shrewsbury Town Council, the town’s civic society, the Big Town Plan and 54 members of the public objected to the application, while there were eight letters of support.

Councillor Nat Green, who represents Quarry and Coton Hill ward which includes the town centre, urged the committee to turn down the plans.

He said: “There are many problems with this application. Despite stringent criticism from the civic society, Big Town Plan and Historic England, it would appear officers are prepared to accept this scheme on the basis that if you keep throwing mud at a wall, eventually something will stick.

“To have the scheme described in effect as ‘better than a car park’ is a very low bar to clear, and the statement isn’t necessarily true in any event, particularly when the scheme will cause significant harm to the setting of one of the most iconic half-timbered buildings in Britain.”

Councillor Green said the building would be “overbearing” and said the timing of the application “smacks of a cynical attempt to rush through” a proposal that would not comply with the town’s emerging design code, which is not yet adopted.

However Ian Kilby, agent for the applicant, said the scheme was a significant improvement on previous plans for a four-storey medical centre approved for the site – which are still ‘extant’.

He said the hotel would represent a £7.8 million investment from the applicants and would boost the town’s economy by accommodating around 43,000 visitors a year.

Councillor Julian Dean proposed refusing the application, saying it went against national planning policy.

This was seconded by Councillor Ted Clarke, who said members should take account of the significant level of opposition.

However not everyone was in agreement. Councillor Vince Hunt said the current setting of the historic building was “uninspiring” and the new hotel would “enhance the whole area”.

He proposed approving the plans, in line with officer recommendations, and was seconded by Councillor Garry Burchett.

The proposal to refuse was voted down with four votes in favour and six against.

Councillors then voted to approve the plans with six in favour and four against.