An area of land which has been branded an eyesore by residents could become a specialist housing site of national importance under plans being put forward.
The site in Greenfields Recreation Ground , which has been earmarked for development in the former borough council’s local plan, would see a handful of eco-houses built.
If plans are successful the site would be used as a nationwide demonstration project ahead of new government targets for housing sustainability. It could also feature on Channel 4’s Grand Designs programme.
The former nursery has been cleared in recent months ahead of talks between Shrewsbury Town Council, which owns the land, and Shropshire Council over its future.
Negotiations have been ongoing between the two authorities but a decision is expected this month about a land swap arrangement.
The town council would be given an area to create new allotments in Bowbrook while Shropshire Council would own the Greenfields site which has the potential to become an eco-housing plot.
Richard Lawrence, head of Shrewsbury growth point for Shropshire Council, said: “There is a government drive that all new houses by 2016 will be built to level six sustainability which means zero carbon emissions and new materials and techniques. There’s very few examples of such houses in the country and we’re saying if we did a demonstration project with a selection of developers we would see what the costs are in such houses.”
Malcolm Price, Shropshire councillor for housing, said it would be a very exciting scheme for Shrewsbury both in terms of housing and tourism.
“We’re not talking about a massive housing development,” he said.
“Just seven or eight houses which would be built and designed by different companies to conform to new housing sustainability rules.”
He said the homes would be built to a high level of sustainability which the government wants all housing developments to acheive. The idea was created by a local architect, Carl Huntley, who wants the opportunity to prove sustainable levels are achievable.
“By doing different builds the development, which would be lived in and monitored, would prove one way or the other that certain levels of sustainability are possible,” said Cllr Price.
“It really would be a specialist scheme, a very small scheme.
“We’ve also had interest from the television programme Grand Designs about following the scheme through from inception to finish. It would be great for the town and promote it to tourists. It’s really exciting, they would be empty for a while to let people look around them and then when they’re lived in they would be monitored for efficiency.”
Peter Nutting, leader of Shrewsbury Town council, said: “In planning terms it is available for development. There is a suggestion it could be used for eco houses which would be under the remit of Shropshire Council.
“To enable this to take place Shrewsbury Town Council are prepared to enter into a land swap arrangement for land at Bowbrook which would enable quite a large number of allotments to be created. There are waiting lists throughout the town.
“We are waiting for a response from Shropshire Council and I’m expecting some action to take this forward within the next few weeks.
“The idea is to get different companies to put up half a dozen houses and build the homes which would be used as show houses for developers around the country in the future.”
By Anna Williams