Controversial plans to build a 69-bedroom care home on the site of a former 15th century hotel to help with an ‘under supply of beds’ in the county have been withdrawn.
The home, which was intended to cater for patients with dementia and provide general care, was earmarked to be built on the site of the former Radbrook Hall Hotel in Radbrook Road.
But within the last week the plans have been retracted, although agents for the scheme are hopeful they will be resubmitted in the future.
More than 50 apartments are being built on the site and are due to be completed by the end of March.
During the consultation period, which ended on February 3, councillors and residents raised strong objection to the plans, particularly to the ‘intrusive’ height of the building, its impact on the area and the threat of traffic problems resulting from insufficient parking space.
The Radbrook Hall Hotel was a popular wedding reception venue and was controversially shut at short notice in 2006, before it was later demolished.
Ian Bramble, of Moores Bramble Associates, acting on behalf of the applicant, said changes to the three to four-storey building needed to be made.
He said: “We have withdrawn the plans and will re-submit them once the problems have been addressed.”
Councillor Peter Nutting, leader of the borough council, said: “Councillors are keeping a close eye on this site because we are very worried about the scale of the building.
“It is a massive development and there has been a massive reaction from people opposed to the plans.”
In a report to planners, agents state: “There is a growing population of older people in the county generally and in the Shrewsbury area specifically. Shropshire has an under supply of beds within existing nursing care homes.”
The applicant was unavailable for comment as the Chronicle went to press.