Shropshire Council’s plans to transform the Smithfield Riverside area of Shrewsbury town centre have taken a major step forward with the appointment of specialist contractor, Cawarden.

Chosen for its vast experience of working on similar projects, Cawarden will start work next week (17 June 2024) to demolish the Riverside shopping centre and former Riverside medical practice, paving the way for key enabling works on site for future phases of the Smithfield Riverside scheme.

Smithfield Riverside is an ambitious plan led by the council and its development manager, RivingtonHark to transform the area between the River Severn, The Darwin centre, Roushill and Raven Meadows in Shrewsbury town centre.

Once the site has been cleared, work can begin on the first phase of the Smithfield Riverside project – the creation of a new landmark park near Roushill which was granted planning permission in March (2024).

This attractive green space has been designed to help breathe new life and vibrancy into the area, as well as improve biodiversity and flood resilience in the town centre.

The park will feature play equipment, facilities for visitors of all ages, and a dedicated events and performance area. It is expected that work to build this will start by the end of 2024.

These developments are being financed from a pot of almost £19 million of external funding which was secured by Shropshire Council last year.

Following the completion of the most recent public consultation, the next planning application will be submitted later this year, introducing ‘outline’ plans to develop three plots located between Smithfield Road, Raven Meadows and the new park.

Further information

Fronted by Shropshire Council, Smithfield Riverside is being supported by an expert team of property and regeneration specialists, including RivingtonHark, FaulknerBrowns Architects, Spacehub Landscape Architects, Arup and Counter Context.

Shropshire Council’s plans to transform the Smithfield Riverside area of Shrewsbury town centre have taken a major step forward with the appointment of specialist contractor, Cawarden.

Chosen for its vast experience of working on similar projects, Cawarden will start work next week (17 June 2024) to demolish the Riverside shopping centre and former Riverside medical practice, paving the way for key enabling works on site for future phases of the Smithfield Riverside scheme.

Smithfield Riverside is an ambitious plan led by the council and its development manager, RivingtonHark to transform the area between the River Severn, The Darwin centre, Roushill and Raven Meadows in Shrewsbury town centre.

Once the site has been cleared, work can begin on the first phase of the Smithfield Riverside project – the creation of a new landmark park near Roushill which was granted planning permission in March (2024).

This attractive green space has been designed to help breathe new life and vibrancy into the area, as well as improve biodiversity and flood resilience in the town centre.

The park will feature play equipment, facilities for visitors of all ages, and a dedicated events and performance area. It is expected that work to build this will start by the end of 2024.

These developments are being financed from a pot of almost £19 million of external funding which was secured by Shropshire Council last year.

Following the completion of the most recent public consultation, the next planning application will be submitted later this year, introducing ‘outline’ plans to develop three plots located between Smithfield Road, Raven Meadows and the new park.

Further information

Fronted by Shropshire Council, Smithfield Riverside is being supported by an expert team of property and regeneration specialists, including RivingtonHark, FaulknerBrowns Architects, Spacehub Landscape Architects, Arup and Counter Context.