Future unclear for Raac-riddled civic centre

People demonstrated in Whitchurch at the weekend

The future of Whitchurch Civic Centre remains in doubt after councillors agreed to further investigate the options available.

A report for Shropshire Council recommended the venue be knocked down following the discovery of Raac, a type of concrete that has been found to be a safety risk.

It suggested replacing it with a "mixed use" development - a proposition that led to a large-scale protest by local residents at the weekend.

However, council leaders have appeared to backtrack, with portfolio-holder Dean Carroll saying "all options remain on the table".

Whitchurch Civic Centre will remain closed for the foreseeable future

A cabinet meeting on Wednesday heard surveys and other investigations confirmed the building was beyond economic repair and would have to remain closed as a safety precaution.

Councillors agreed to form a working group to consider the options and bring forward business cases for each of them.

The six options include keeping the building permanently closed, demolishing it and replacing with a similar venue, or simply clearing the site.

"We have to be clear that without external funding repair of the building isn’t a feasible option, but we will be talking to the government about possible external funding that may be available," Mr Carroll said.

Directly replacing the civic centre is the most expensive option, with an estimated cost of up to £7.6m.

A public meeting at the weekend attracted about 400 people, with hundreds more watching an online stream.

Protesters have been opposed to suggestions of replacing the building with housing or other non-community facilities.

Speaking at that meeting, Mark Barrow, council director responsible for buildings, told residents the report was just the starting point for discussions, adding that there would be full consultation.

Mr Barrow also revealed that discussions had started to find a new home for the town library, which had been inside the civic centre.