New car showroom plans approved
A new car showroom is set to open under plans approved by Shropshire Council.
The Seat showroom will be built on Battlefield Enterprise Park in Shrewsbury near the existing Mercedes-Benz dealership.
The company says it will create jobs and draw customers from across the county and further afield.
Alongside the showroom will be MOT and valeting facilities, and a 129-space car park.
The site lies next to the roundabout of Battlefield Way and the A5124 and is allocated employment land under council planning policy.
The new showroom would be accessed via an existing turning off Vanguard Way.
It is close to the site of the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403, and a heritage assessment carried out by Trigpoint Conservation and Planning Ltd concluded that “this development will not harm the setting or significance of the registered Battle of Shrewsbury battlefield site”.
Shropshire Council planning officers have now granted approval for the scheme, which received no objections from the town council, consultees or members of the public.
'Appropriate'
A report by planning officer Kelvin Hall said: “The proposed development constitutes an acceptable type of use within this part of the Battlefield Enterprise Park.
“The design and external appearance is appropriate for its intended purpose and is of a scale which would not adversely affect the setting of the heritage assets in the area.
“An appropriate level of ecological protection has been incorporated within the design and the recommended conditions regarding ecology, highways and flood risk would ensure that the development is acceptable.
“The proposal is in line with development plan and national planning policy and planning permission can be granted subject to conditions.”
A design and access statement submitted in support of the application said: “The construction of a well designed and efficient motor vehicle dealership will increase the options available to customers not only in the surrounding area, but also further afield and into Wales. This being, as the nearest SEAT dealership is located in Wolverhampton.
“The development will also bring new job opportunities to the area for a range of non-skilled, semi and skilled employment.
“Jobs that may become available may consist of motor technicians, sales, administration and managerial positions.”
