GPs’ dismay as deal over Shrewsbury 'super surgery' scuppered

Plans had been submitted to Shropshire Council by Riverside Medical Practice to move its service into a new building that would have served more than 10,000 town centre patients. It was to have been built behind the town’s bus station.

The council had agreed in principle to sell the land to the medics, but following the acquisition of the town’s three shopping centres by Shropshire Council, the authority has taken the decision not to sell the site.

This has led to bosses at the medical practice officially withdrawing their ambitious plans for the land. The council already owns the lease on the medical practice, which was built more than 30 years ago.

The proposed centre would have been less than 200 metres from Riverside’s current location and would have included provision for an on-site pharmacy and better disabled access.

The design was for a four-storey building with more treatment rooms and improved technology and modern, up-to-date facilities. The site is currently used as a bus layover for a number of local bus operators serving the bus station.

In a letter to council planning officer Jane Raymond, Ashley Seymour – who is acting as agent for the medical practice and its doctors – said: “As you are aware, Shropshire Council’s estates department has formally confirmed its decision not to sell the Raven Meadows site.This U-turn has come as somewhat as a surprise to ourselves and the doctors and we are still in the process of finding out the true reasons for this.

“In particular, we do not fully understand why the proposed development can not complement what may be planned for the adjacent land long term. Indeed we are unaware of any masterplan.

“In respect of our current planning application, we still believe in the scheme and are confident that any outstanding planning issues can be satisfactorily agreed.

“The point remains that it seems futile for a planning consent to be granted for a site which is no longer available for development. We obviously hope this can be reversed but it is currently clear that it council will not sell the site.

“In this context, it is with disappointment that we feel we have no choice but to withdraw the application.”

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council's Cabinet member for corporate support, said: "Shropshire Council is committed to creating the wider place-shaping agenda for Shrewsbury as part of the Big Town Plan. Therefore, it is prudent at this stage to maintain control over the land it does hold, to ensure maximum benefit.

"Separately, Shropshire Council remains in regular dialogue with Riverside Medical Practice to help deliver on their future plans."