Bridgnorth car park 'no longer available' following care home development proposal

Parents of pupils at St John's Catholic Primary School have been notified by school leaders that they can no longer use Old Smithfield Car Park when collecting or dropping off their children – a notification which came into force on Thursday.

Shoppers using a cashless payment app to pay for parking have also received a message stating it will "no longer be available" and that all cars should be removed by 8pm the same day.

It comes after Ziran Land, which was granted permission to build retail units on the site in 2018, bought the car park in February – with LNT Care Developments listed as a beneficiary.

The care home company then submitted a planning application for a three-storey home at the site.

Shropshire Council is yet to comment on plans to develop the car park or its future usage, having initially been contacted on April 30 – which a town councillor called "astonishing".

Now, shoppers and parents are being notified that the car park is "no longer available".

A letter sent to parents at St John's Catholic Primary School said: "We have been advised by Shropshire Council that the Smithfield Car Park will no longer be available to be used by parents as detailed on your current parking permit.

"The last day it can be used is Thursday May 20 due to a change in ownership.

"Please ensure that you do not use that car park and only use and only use Innage Lane Car Park when dropping off or collecting your child."

Bridgnorth town councillor David Cooper said: "This is the largest Shropshire Council car park in Bridgnorth, and is very well used.

Vaccinations

"It also currently features reserved, free parking for those attending Bridgnorth Medical Practice for Covid-19 vaccinations.

"Astonishingly there is no information available at the car park itself, or on the Shropshire Council website, indicating what is happening at the car park from Thursday.

"It’s not clear whether its being closed or simply that it’s going to be managed differently.

"I really do think that Shropshire Council needs to let people know as a matter of urgency so that they can make appropriate arrangements when coming into Bridgnorth town centre by car."

Bridgnorth Chamber of Commerce questioned Shropshire Council on whether the car park would be bought by a care home developer in 2020, to which planning chiefs denied all knowledge.

Shortly after the local elections earlier this month, it came to light a planning application for a 66-room care facility had been submitted.

Shropshire Council has been contacted for comment.

Petitions have been circling shops throughout Bridgnorth, gaining dozens of signatures from people objecting to the proposals.

John Crowther from Worfield uses Old Smithfield as his main car park when visiting, and said losing the car park will "rip the heart out of the town".