Hilton hotel could be coming to Shrewsbury

A Hilton hotel could be coming to Shrewsbury after outline plans were granted.

The 146-bedroom hotel – set over four storeys – is proposed next to The David Lloyd Club (formerly The Shrewsbury Club), off Sundorne Road.

The land that has been set aside for the development is currently used for parking to service the club and in part is planted with trees.

Councillors who considered the proposal on Tuesday (April 21) were worried about parking at the site and the additional traffic the scheme would generate on Sundorne Road and the nearby A49.

Councillor Rosemary Dartnall (Column & Sutton) pointed to a recent event held at The David Lloyd Club that “caused traffic chaos”.

“But it’s not just the A49 alone – Sundorne Road itsef is prone to very bad traffic with a school just around the corner,” said Councillor Dartnall.

“I would have concerns about what this could add to that situation.

“I am worried about parking – whether that’s sufficient for the sports centre and the hotel. I am worried about it being a four-storey building in what is a residential area, technically in countryside but on the very edge of town.

“I am also worried about very limited public transport and the active travel network there. It is true there is a path nearby, but a network is needed.

“They all relate to a hotel in a place where one would not expect one to be in the way our transport is set up.

“What can we do to mitigate this if the development goes ahead? What about the rest of Sundorne Road – including the first mini-roundabout and Featherbed Lane? What will we do to have sufficient parking for both the club and the hotel?”

Ollie Thomas, principal planning officer at Shropshire Council, said the parking provision demonstrates that the Local Planning Authority and Highways Authority are satisifed with the level of numbers.

Confirming that the Hilton Group will run the hotel, the officer added that the firm “have a tried and tested model in operating hotels”.

He said that, during the site visit, officers could appreciate the separation distances between the proposed hotel and the nearest residential properites.

“There will be a retention of vegetation which provides a degree of screening, and I don’t think four-storets will be out of charactaer when against the backdrop of The Shrewsbury Club [David Lloyd Club],” said Mr Thomas.

“It is very much a mixed use area.”

In terms of active travel measures, Mr Thomas said at this stage, the council doesn’t think there should be any contributions, but the applicant will have to provider a travel plan at the reserved matters stage.

Meanwhile, Gemma Lawley, development highways manager, said extensive modelling had been undertaken by the applicant, who are willing to contribute towards mitigating the additional traffic [around £130,000].

She added that only 3.5 per cent of the development traffic will use Featherbed Lane, and while the highways team appreciates there is a nearby primary school, the council is only seeking a contribution to mitigate the impacts on the roundabouts.

Councillor Julian Dean (Porthill) said that it’s a shame that active travel measures hasn’t been looked at in more depth.

“Perhaps the developer could consider some hire bikes to get into the town centre from the hotel,” he said.

“I’m not convinces the height is an issue. so am minded to probably support the proposal.”

Councillor Gregory Ebbs (Whitchurch South) was also happy to support it, saying the benefits outweigh the harm the development may cause.

Councillor Dartnall asked for an amendment to the proposal – saying that the proposal should consider the Shrewsbury Movement and Public Space Strategy, which covers all of the town.

Members unanimously approved the amendment.