Appeal for limit on Market Drayton shopping at marina

Councillors want to ensure the town centre does not suffer if retail premises are built at the marina, planned for a site next to the Shropshire Union Canal in the vicinity of Victoria Wharf.

The latest version of the town's neighbourhood plan warns safeguards should be put in place, but does not go into any detail over what they should be.

The marina plan was backed by nearly three quarters of people who responded to a neighbourhood plan survey last year.

It could include a hotel as well as a canal-side restaurant and shops.

Councillors hope the development will bring more people into the town who would not normally visit.

The project is in its early stages and no time-frame has yet been put in place for when work will start.

But the neighbourhood plan states that it may be necessary to restrict any retail proposals "so that there will be no significant adverse effect upon Market Drayton town centre".

It states: "There is a long-standing aspiration for a marina development in Market Drayton

"With regard to tourist accommodation, this should ensure the character of the area is not adversely affected, should not adversely affect any natural or heritage assets, and be landscaped and designed to a high quality.

"Any proposal should be accompanied by a detailed flood risk assessment

"The site has specific advantages over all the other options for marinas on the Shropshire Union Canal in this part of Shropshire.

"To ensure retail and leisure proposals comply with policies it may be necessary to restrict their particular use so that there will be no significant adverse effect upon Market Drayton town centre

"There have been previous such proposals for this area and this neighbourhood plan seeks to enable a viable scheme to be advanced through additional associated uses that would cross-subsidise the development, while meeting other needs in terms of both housing and enterprise that would support the town’s economy in general and shopping centre.

"No other site has these advantages in such proximity to Market Drayton itself.

"The proposed marina site location offers a number of benefits over other possible locations.

"Although it is considered that such proposals might benefit the whole town without adversely affecting the vitality and viability of its shopping centre there will be a need to comply with certain policies.

“It may, however, be necessary to restrict any proposed floor space through either planning conditions or agreements. In addition, any retail and leisure uses should be ancillary to the main use of the site as a marina.

"The site will support the growing economy of Market Drayton and diversifying its economic base and providing a variety of local jobs."

Councillor Roger Hughes, Shropshire councillor for Market Drayton West, said: "The marina development would bring a lot of people to the area who do not normally visit. People will come from further afield. It would provide more reasons to visit the town and also make it more vibrant."