Shrewsbury car park to close as work starts to develop new student accommodation

The Tannery car park on St Austin’s Street in Shrewsbury is set to close on Sunday 23 April 2017 as Shropshire Council starts work on a project to deliver the next phase of student accommodation for the town centre.

Plans were approved last year for accommodation for University Centre Shrewsbury (UCS) students at the Tannery site, which comprises the former study centre on St Austin’s Street and the adjacent Tannery car park.

The first step was to advertise the closure of the car park and give people the opportunity to comment. This process has now been completed and, subject to the notice process, the car park is due to close on 23 April. The site will then be secured and contractors will move in to begin the demolition of the former study centre building.

The project will see the blocks of student accommodation being constructed on a phased basis. Shropshire Council – as the freehold owner of the site – will be taking the lead in bringing forward the development with its construction partner Morris Property.

The intention is to complete the first phase of accommodation to increase the provision to match the potential increase in student numbers over coming years.

The new accommodation will sit alongside the existing student accommodation at Mardol House in Shrewsbury town centre.

At present, UCS students are housed at Mardol House in Shrewsbury town centre

Tim Smith, head of business, enterprise and commercial services, with Shropshire Council, said:

“This new accommodation will support the redevelopment of the west end of Shrewsbury town centre and will be a significant improvement for the area.”

James West, Chief Operating Officer at Morris Property commented:

“We are very much looking forward to working closely with Shropshire Council on what is an important and exciting project for the town. We will be working to create modern, bespoke accommodation for future UCS students.”

Paul Kirkbright, University Centre Shrewsbury Deputy Provost, said:

“This first-class student accommodation being constructed by our partners at Shropshire Council is within sight of our main teaching centre. This is another significant step in the development of University Centre Shrewsbury, one we’re confident will bring long and lasting benefit to the people of Shrewsbury and Shropshire.”

For more information about University Centre Shrewsbury, visit www.ucshrewsbury.ac.uk.