Council asked to approve compulsory purchase of land needed for shopping centre development

Shropshire Councillors are to be asked to approve the compulsory purchase of land needed for the redevelopment of the Riverside Shopping Centre in Shrewsbury, if developers UK Commercial Property Trust (UKCPT) are unable to acquire it by agreement with the landowners. 

In April 2012 UKCPT was granted planning permission for the redevelopment of the Riverside Shopping Centre and its integration into the Pride Hill and Darwin shopping centres. 

The aim of the development is to improve the attractiveness of Shrewsbury as a visitor destination, extending the quality and range of shops within the town centre, and improving the links between Pride Hill and Darwin shopping centres from Riverside Shopping Centre. 

However, to carry out this scheme, UKCPT need to acquire land or interests at the site of the planned development.  

At the meeting of Full Council next week (Thursday 13 December 2012), councillors will be asked to agree that the council makes a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to enable UKCPT to acquire the land required to enable the scheme to proceed, should they be unable to come to an agreement with the landowner. 

Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth and prosperity, said:

“The redevelopment of the Riverside area is as one of the key projects in the enhancement of Shrewsbury town centre.  The proposals offer an opportunity to develop a high-quality town centre retail-led scheme which will make a significant contribution to the economic vitality of the town centre and create new jobs and provide an enhanced riverside environment.  

“Without the use of compulsory purchase powers the scheme will not be delivered, and without the CPO the council will not be able to secure the wider public benefits that the scheme will bring.  Full Council is therefore being asked to recognise the importance of this scheme by using its compulsory purchase powers to assist UKPCT, if they cannot acquire such interests by agreement.” 

Andrew Bannerman, Shropshire Councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill, said:

“I think we are all hoping this development will progress with maximum consideration for residents and businesses affected.  It is an ambitious scheme with great potential for the regeneration of the west side of town, but we need to ensure that everyone is kept aware of each step in the development process.” 

UKCPT has been consulting with tenants and occupiers of the Riverside, Pride Hill and Darwin shopping centres since July 2011.  They have held two drop in surgeries for parties who may be affected by the making of a CPO and are continuing dialogue with potentially affected tenants and occupiers. 

The council’s costs of making the CPO and acquiring interests pursuant to the CPO will be indemnified in the Indemnity Agreement to be entered into prior to making the CPO. 

Shropshire Council has the power in section 226 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004) to make a compulsory purchase order for any land in their area if the council thinks that the purchase of the land will facilitate the carrying out of development, redevelopment or improvement on or in relation to the land. 

The report being presented to Full Council, and plans showing the land and interests in question, can be seen by clicking here.

Shropshire Council would make a CPO to acquire the land shown shaded pink on the plan, and new rights in relation to the land shown shaded blue on the plans.