'Traffic is already at breaking point': Plans for 146-bedroom hotel on outskirts of Shrewsbury under-fire

Last year, the former owners of The Shrewsbury Club on Sundorne Road submitted an outline planning application to build a new 146-bedroom hotel on the site.

The application suggests the new hotel - which has been co-developed by Hilton Hotels - would be three or four storeys and built on land that is currently used for parking for the club. 

The proposal was submitted by former club owners Mosaic Spa and Health Club in November, two months after it was confirmed fitness giants David Lloyds had acquired the club.

During the consultation period, the plans for the new hotel came under fire from residents, who mostly raised concerns over the potential impact on traffic on the busy road.

"Traffic in this area is already at breaking point," wrote one objector under the name Miss Holly A.

She added: "The mini-roundabout is already very dangerous and has many near misses daily, also the road is often filled with potholes with makes it even more dangerous." 

Steve Coley agreed, calling it "the craziest idea I have heard of". He added: "Anyone who goes up Sundorne Road will know how the traffic is nose to tail."

"It is a dangerous interchange. It's a residential area with heavy traffic already bursting at the seams during rush hour," wrote Kirsty Akinci.

Some also raised concerns over the height of the proposed building, arguing that it would block light from neighbouring properties and overlook gardens. 

Hugh McAree wrote: "If built, this hotel will be towering over my house and garden with rows and rows of bedroom windows peering into my personal space. 

"This is causing me and my family great anxiety and worry that our home, our sanctuary, will not be that anymore."

The plans have also attracted an objection from Shrewsbury Green Party, who as well as raising similar concerns over the height of the building and the impact on traffic, warned the development could have a detrimental impact on the town centre.

A party spokesperson added: "This is not a suitable site for a hotel which is intended to support the economy of Shrewsbury as it is too far from the centre (about one-hour walking distance) and the location is not well-served by cycling and public transport infrastructure. 

"Hotels that are intended to serve Shrewsbury town itself should be located in the town centre or within easy walking distance of the town centre. 

"There is plenty of potential for one or more hotels, for example, in the Riverside development, so a hotel at this site is not required and indeed would be detrimental to town centre alternatives in the same way that out-of-town shopping centres have damaged town centre shops."

A decision on the application, which is available to view on Shropshire Council's planning portal using reference number 24/03877/OUT, is due to be made in the coming weeks.