Shropshire Council’s Planning Committee has voted to approve the first stage of the Smithfield Riverside regeneration project in Shrewsbury, enabling the delivery of a landmark new public park.

Led by Shropshire Council and its development manager, RivingtonHark, Smithfield Riverside is the ambitious regeneration project set to transform the area between the River Severn, the Darwin Centre, Roushill and Raven Meadows in Shrewsbury town centre.

This vote of confidence relates to the scheme’s first planning application, which was submitted in December 2023.

Financed from the pot of almost £19 million of Levelling Up money Shropshire Council secured from the UK Government, this preparatory work will see the demolition of the Riverside shopping centre and former Riverside medical practice, paving the way for key enabling works on site for future phases of the scheme.

It also permits the delivery of a landmark new public park adjacent to Roushill, helping to breathe new life and vibrancy into the area, as well as improving biodiversity in the town centre.

The attractive green park will feature play equipment, facilities for visitors of all ages, and a dedicated events and performance area.

The Smithfield Riverside project team are looking to appoint a demolition contractor in the coming months, with demolition work getting underway this Summer. Construction of the new park is expected to get underway before the end of 2024.

The project team is now set to turn their attention to future phases of the masterplan.

Following the completion of the most recent public consultation, a second planning application will be submitted this Spring, introducing ‘outline’ plans to the develop three plots located between Smithfield Road, Raven Meadows and the new park.

A third application, anticipated this Summer, proposes a new leisure-led destination at Pride Hill.

Plans would see the existing Pride Hill shopping centre partly demolished, with the retention of the existing service yard platform and its embodied carbon helping to reduce the project’s overall carbon footprint.

A stylish series of new buildings and connected courtyards will be developed to accommodate new restaurants, cafes, a cinema and some complementary retail.