The current date for demolition of the former Somerfield, Co-op, Budgens supermarket building is set for 20 October. The work will take about three months. There is no immediate prospect of a new development on the site, whether that is for business, retail or housing use. The site will be landscaped and become an open space. Talks are underway on the details of that space which is being designed by Shrewsbury landscape architects Camlins.
The very popular bench will be relocated on site while the work is in progress. The pavements either side of the former supermarket will be closed alternatively. We are discussing details of that. Some car parking spaces in Galdeford A car park will need to be suspending. Again, details are under discussion.
There will be hoarding around the site painted a muted colour.
The mural painted in September 2018 will either be lost or relocated to the hoarding. I would welcome views on whether it should be preserved to scrapped. My view is that this was a work of performance art, painted over the September food festival. It was a big operation with a scaffold platform and an open invite to artists. We met the brief and were off the site just one day late. The work was funded by Morris Property, owners of the site. It was expected the mural would be in place for a year but time stretched and Covid came. Seven years on, I think we have seen enough of the mural. Others will no doubt disagree.
The landscaped garden area is notionally temporary. I suspect it may be in place for years. It will be designed well. But open spaces should be places for people to mingle. More benches. I am keen on a space for young people. I’d welcome views on this.
The work on demolition will begin quickly. It already has planning consent. It might take us a little longer to agree a landscaping scheme.
I’ll publish more next week when I have more details.
One more comment from me please.
While the murals are a nice out reach to the community, they lack historical relavance. In my opinion, if maintained (in part) the budget for maintaining should be minimal in respect to the welcoming and soft draw of the space.
Once again
Thank you
Shame. It would have made a good indoor market, for small independent stallholders. And if it has to be an open space, why couldn’t there have been a design competition for us residents?
Andy,
This is appalling. Why demolish a building capable of re-use? If it is to be demolished then surely a new build such as housing would be more appropriate than open space which is not necessary in that part of the town. This is an important entrance point into the town and needs a tight enclosure, not an opening out.
Just who applied for pp to demolish I wonder, and for what reason?
Cheers
David
David Appleton
(Chartered Landscape Architect)
It has permission for demolition. It has permission for apartments (19/05380/FUL). But at present no one will build on the site.
Its very nice of them to do this, I imagine it’ll cause all sorts of arguments when they do eventually sell the land for development.
I assume this is because they’ve been paying full business rates on the building for years. It’s a shame the old Costa building is exempt due to being listed. If the owners of that were having to pay then it probably wouldn’t be sitting empty.
I think business rates should apply to listed building after they have been empty for a period, maybe two or three years.