Smithfield Riverside’s first stage approved

The first stage of the landmark Smithfield Riverside regeneration project in Shrewsbury has been approved.Led by Shropshire Council and its development manager RivingtonHark, Smithfield Riverside aims to transform the area between the River Severn, the Darwin Centre, Roushill and Raven Meadows in Shrewsbury town centre.The approval relates to the scheme’s first planning application, which was submitted in December 2023.Financed from the pot of almost £19m of Levelling Up money Shropshire Council secured from the UK Government, this preparatory work will involve the demolition of the Riverside shopping centre and former Riverside medical practice, paving the way for enabling works for future phases.It also permits the creation of a new public park adjacent to Roushill, featuring play equipment, facilities for visitors of all ages, and a dedicated events and performance area.Ian Nellins, deputy leader of Shropshire Council, said: “The plans for the park on Roushill received an overwhelmingly positive response from the public and local businesses, so it’s great to now be able to make a start in turning the plans into a reality.”Today’s decision means we’re able to capitalise on the Levelling Up money we secured last year, ensuring that every penny is used to the benefit of Shropshire. It will help us to create a more vibrant and dynamic Shrewsbury town centre.”The Smithfield Riverside masterplan is a cornerstone project in our ambition to attract new visitors, residents, businesses and jobs into Shrewsbury, and help grow the county’s economy. This is just the beginning of the long-term vision but it’s truly exciting to get the ball rolling.”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 park is expected to get underway before the end of 2024.Spencer Winter, project director at RivingtonHark, added: “The plans that were approved are all about deliverability and laying the ideal foundations to build something truly transformational.”Not only do we get to make the most of the Levelling Up capital and deliver a world class public park in the here and now, but the demolition of the Riverside shopping centre will create the perfect, clean-slate conditions that we’re confident will attract the private investment needed to deliver future parts of the scheme.”This will include our evolving and upcoming plans for game-changing leisure, residential and office developments.”Following the completion of the most recent public consultation, a second planning application will be submitted this spring, introducing ‘outline’ plans to develop three plots located between Smithfield Road, Raven Meadows and the new park.A third application, anticipated this summer, proposes a leisure-led destination at Pride Hill. Plans would involve the existing Pride Hill shopping centre being 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 series of new buildings and connected courtyards would be developed to accommodate restaurants, cafes, a cinema and some complementary retail.