The designs have been prepared following a detailed public consultation, which saw the draft designs displayed at the Civic Centre, and at a public meeting attended by more than 60 people, and following a series of meetings with key stakeholders, including market traders, regular users of the centre, and landscape experts.
Comments made during the consultation were carefully considered and the designs were amended as a result.
A planning application for the development work will be submitted shortly and it is hoped that work will start in spring 2013.
The Civic Centre redevelopment proposals involve improvements to the façade, internal alterations to create a more welcoming foyer, internal decoration to the main hall and market hall, together with a significant upgrade and replacement to the heating, lighting and ventilation systems.
Greenspace Architects, based in Ellesmere, have been appointed as the project designers and managers following a competitive tendering exercise.
The work is expected to cost £684,000 and will be funded by Shropshire Council’s Market Towns Revitalisation Programme, Whitchurch Town Council, Shropshire Council, and from the Sainsbury Unilateral Undertaking funding for public realm improvements.
Mike Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth and prosperity, said:
“I’m delighted that these final designs have now been approved by the partners behind the redevelopment scheme and that we can now proceed to the planning application stage. The building complex is an important asset for Whitchurch and the town centre, being well used by the local community and visitors for a variety of events but it does require significant improvements to meet current and future needs.”
Whitchurch Mayor, Councillor Peggy Mullock, said:
“I am delighted that we now have a design that has been put together with the help of the residents of Whitchurch. I am sure this will have far reaching benefits for the future of our High Street.
“I would like to thank Shropshire Council officers for all their help with this project and Kevin Slack, our architect, for coming to Whitchurch, listening to our local concerns and acting on them.
“The next stage will be to apply for ‘Reaching Communities’ lottery funding which, if successful, will see work carried out on the upper floor area in line with the Parish Plan aspirations for the building.”
Gerald Dakin, Shropshire Councillor for Whitchurch South, said:
“I’m very pleased to have had this money to improve the Civic Centre, which is a great asset to the town but has become a little tired, both in looks, and electrically and mechanically. This development will, I feel sure, give a boost to the users of the centre and enhance the town’s high street.”
The Civic Centre is owned by Shropshire Council. The town library is provided within a small part of the building, with the rest of the building leased to Whitchurch Town Council, which manages the weekly market and a range of sporting and community functions, as well as providing civic functions.
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