Decisions made by council planners in Shrewsbury are encouraging anti social behaviour and creating a ‘concrete ghost town’ in the evening, it is claimed.
The attack on councillors came as they refused an application for a Mediterranean-style cafe underneath the Old Market Hall during the summer.
The cafe would have seen ten small bistro tables served by mobile caterers as part of plans to generate a European-style evening economy in the town and reduce ongoing trouble.
Planning officers recommended approval but the scheme was refused last week amid fears it would have a detrimental impact on the area.
Councillor Dr Maxwell Winchester, for the Quarry and Coton Hill ward, said he was very angry at the decision after working on the scheme with Old Market Hall bosses, especially because the idea came from a community PACT meeting to reduce anti-social behaviour.
He said: “I’m furious about it. We’re trying to create a lively and vibrant town and this has knocked plans for six, I’m very disappointed.
“The licensing committee were in support, planning officers had recommended it for approval and the committee has gone against everyone’s wishes. They’re completely not listening to their constituents.
“The councillors who have refused this have put the rubber-stamp on anti-social behaviour under the Old Market Hall,” he added.
David Jack, OMH operations manager, said he was very disappointed, especially following the success of an outdoor seating area in 2008.
“We had hoped to be trading by now to catch the main part of the tourist season. We had the full support of the police – they have noticed when events have been running in the Square there’s been a reduction in anti-social behaviour in the area.”
Elliot Howells, the creator of a Facebook group for disenfranchised Shrewsbury residents trying to promote development in the town, said he too was disappointed.
“I believe one of the objections was because the Square is a space to reflect that’s nonsense, all you can reflect on is how dead the town is.
“We were walking through the Square in the evening recently and it was a lovely evening but it was just absolutely dead. It becomes a concrete ghost town in the evening.”
Councillor Tudor Bebb, chairman of the planning committee, said it was refused by a majority decision because it was felt to be out of keeping with the historic building.
“It’s a historic building and you don’t put a modern burger bar there, it wouldn’t have looked good.”
He said he did not believe the venture would have made any difference to anti-social behaviour.
By Anna Williams
