Shropshire Star

Latest plans for Shrewsbury's Stew win support from civic society

A major renovation of Shrewsbury's historic Stew building could finally go-ahead after another group determined to save the building said the most recent plans could be 'acceptable'.

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The Stew at Frankwell

Shrewsbury Civic Society, which has long campaigned to preserve the former warehouse in Frankwell, has offered to work with planning officers and the developer to bring the latest plans to fruition.

It comes just weeks after Historic England said it no longer objected to the application and welcomed the work to bring the building back into use.

Owner Gareth Leese wants to convert the building into apartments with office and leisure facilities, including a spa and cafe.

Previous proposals, including plans to demolish it and create a new hotel in its place, were thrown out due to objections.

Commenting on the most recent proposal, Mike Carter, chairman of the civic society's planning committee, said: "The society would like a scheme that could be implemented quickly and would preserve the prominence of the Stew as a heritage building on Frankwell Quay. Previous schemes have failed in this.

"For over 15 years, imprudent business decision and a lack of enforcement has led to this protracted impasse.

Changes

"The current application is an improvement on the previous ones. With further amendments, it could be acceptable, although we hope all other possibilities and uses will have been considered."

The society, along with the Georgian Group, has asked for changes to the height and position of the proposed extension.

And despite objecting to the application in its current form, Mr Carter said other aspects of the design are "admired" by the group.

Mr Carter added: "People's first impressions would be dominated by an interesting new extension. However, what is needed is a first impression of a historic quayside building being enlarged and put to lively, modern use. Notwithstanding these issues, the design is admired in other respects."

He suggested it might be more appropriate with pitched roofs or a mansard-type room for the top floor which would lower the height.