First look at major overhaul planned for Oswestry alleyways
Here’s the first look at major changes to transform alleyways in Oswestry – bringing them to life and helping regenerate the town.
A stunning clock will be placed over the Herbie Roberts Way alley, as can be seen in this concept design, with detail around it reflecting iconography associated with the legend of St Oswald.
Meanwhile, the Cae Glas Park alleyway will be upgraded with a brand new gate and a living wall extending the greenery of the park.
It is all part of a major Oswestry High Street Heritage Action Zone project, which has secured a further £180,000 funding from Historic England.
It will see the two alleyways transformed, along with the Clawdd Du and Star Passage alleyways.
Ed Potter, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth, regeneration and planning, said:-
These concept designs really give a flavour of the outstanding work being done to regenerate the alleyways in Oswestry town centre.
The clock will prove to be a real centrepiece of the work and I can’t wait to see it come to life.
The project is bringing so many positives to Oswestry and I want to thank everyone for their hard work and feedback which has made this a reality.
Councillor Mark Jones, Mayor of Oswestry, said:-
Oswestry Town Council is investing heavily in the HAZ programme, and the alleyway project will make a tangible difference. Councillors have been involved in discussions with the designers and will be asked to approve the plans at a meeting next week.
Adele Nightingale, Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID) manager, said:-
Oswestry BID has been working hard alongside our partners Shropshire Council and Oswestry Town Council on the HSHAZ project to really bring our alleyways back to life. We are always mindful of the impact any project will have on our business community and believe that by improving these spaces will go a long way to making Oswestry a ‘nicer place’ to visit and therefore encourage more visitors to town. All improvements to our public realm space must be seen as a positive for everyone.
At Clawdd Du, a solution is being worked on for better bin storage and the Star Passage will be given better security and spruced up.
Samantha Jones, HSHAZ Project Officer, added:
I am delighted to be able to present these first design images which really show off the grand scale of the work planned.
We know that many of the town’s alleyways have been in need of a spruce up for many years, and this project and the funding has helped us talk to people and find out how they want to see change and how we can achieve it.
We are delighted with these designs from Environmental Associates and cannot wait to see them made a reality. They will not only enhance Oswestry as a place for locals but visitors too.
The HSHAZ project is a partnership project between Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council and Oswestry BID (Business Improvement District).
The HSHAZ Project is tasked with looking at ways to regenerate the town through heritage, and it has been recognised that the alleyways play an important part in the history of the town, reflecting the medieval layout of the town, providing links between streets.
About High Streets Heritage Action Zones
The High Streets Heritage Action Zones is a £95 million Government-funded programme led by Historic England, designed to secure lasting improvements and help breathe new life into our historic high streets for the communities and businesses that use them.
Historic England is working with local people and partners to unlock the rich heritage on these high streets, through repair and improvement works as well as arts and cultural programmes, making them more attractive to residents, businesses, tourists and investors.
Find out more: https://historicengland.org.uk/services-skills/heritage-action-zones/regenerating-historic-high-streets/
