Riverside shopping centre demolition moves closer

The next stage of a town centre redevelopment project will be allowed to go ahead without an environmental assessment.

The decision means detailed plans for the demolition of Shrewsbury's Riverside shopping centre can be brought forward.

Shropshire Council planning officials agreed with developers the redevelopment of the area should result in a reduction in emissions, traffic and noise.

They added none of the buildings being demolished "possess sufficient architectural or historic interest" to merit protection.

The scheme will eventually lead to a "less intensive" development, according to the application from BNP Paribas Real Estate.

A new riverside park would include new planting and open space, improve biodiversity and cut the flood risk, it said.

Architect drawings show how the new park along Roushill would fit in to the new development

The demolition is the first stage of plans to redevelop the area around the centre, five years after the council paid £51m to buy all three of the town centre's shopping malls.

A full application for further demolition works is expected to be brought forward early next year, while plans for the new public park on Roushill are expected to be submitted before Christmas.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.