Sold: Shrewsbury's Dana prison to become homes and offices
Shrewsbury's former Dana prison is to be transformed into a mix of residential, office and studio accommodation, The Ministry of Justice confirmed today.
Property developers, The Osborne Group, today exchanged contracts on the property.
The Osborne Group has undertaken a large number of development projects in the past including the transformation of former Oxford Prison into a Malmaison hotel complex.
Welcoming the news this morning, Shrewsbury & Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski said: “The Osborne Group has considerable experience of working with historic buildings and I understand that this was a factor that was considered by my colleagues at the Ministry of Justice when they selected the preferred buyer.
"I am confident that they will undertake the redevelopment of this iconic building to the highest standard and in a way that will preserve the history of its former use.
“The mixed use will complement the surrounding environment as well as provide employment opportunities for Shrewsbury. With no significant retail use planned for the site, I am confident that the development will not impact on trade within Shrewsbury’s existing shopping areas, which I am pleased about.
“I have received many requests from residents wishing to look around the former prison prior to it being developed. I hope that the new owners may be amenable to providing access to the public in some way and I will shortly be having those conversations with them.
"Appropriate permissions will now need to be obtained by The Osborne Group from Shropshire Council’s planning department and it will be at this stage that finer details of the redevelopment will be known and consultation with the public and appropriate organisations will be undertaken.”
- See Friday's Shropshire Star for more on this story and reactions to the sale
Comments for: "Sold: Shrewsbury's Dana prison to become homes and offices"
twisting my melon
I always thought it would make an excellent Prison ..
ColinA
Seems like a good offer but the traffic flow will need watching. Since the new traffic lights have been in place getting under the bridge takes much longer now. Traffic already backs up along all the routes and often blockes the bus station exit (where there are more traffic lights.)
edski675
I think they should demolish it. It's ugly - and an unpleasant reminder of rather darker days.
AC
Ditto, the castle, the abbey etc...
edski675
I don't know whether they carried out public hangings at the castle. I'm fairly sure that they didn't at the abbey :)
Roger
I would prefer that it was all commercial development but at least it is not all residential.
The big idea is how does this fit in with the growth of the town centre and improve the ability of the centre to serve our growing population. Is the the right time to advance DK thoughts about a multistory car park in the existing railway car park on the adjacent site so that access from the north to parking can be achieved without entering the Smithfield Road chaos.
It is time to consider how the Dana walkway can be redeveloped and extened to the town centre, the Library forecourt. This could include a booking hall and supporting retail units above the existing station and improving pick up, put down and taxi services to the north of the new station block in conjunction with a level access from the multistory car park. It would of course need to be sympathetic with the access and view of the Castle. Castle fiels is already totally con jested with parking by commuters whjich could be relived if it not too expensive to park.
It does of course open the possibilities of redeveloping the Sorting Office site and Morris oil site to commercial development when these companies can decanted out to periphery sites better suited to their needs. all part of a general aspirational redevelopment of the space from the Flax mills to the town centre. Some consideration could be made to opening up the canal from the Butter Market to Ditherington to provide a feature around which the developments could grow and as a pedestrian corridor from Ditherington into the town centre.
If the Prison site is to redeveloped separately, to the whole area, now is the time to build the multi story car park and improve access to the Station. The area needs better integration with the town centre which increases the ease of pedestrian access and keeps cars out of the loop.
Cj
very welcome to see a beautiful old building being restored and saved, it will make some posh flats with nice riverside views i just hope they rememebr to save one or two for normal folk as so called affordable homes i think the only thing i would worry here is the parking theymust make sure theres plenty of that for the flats or it will be a nightmare anyway i am sure but for a few minor details to iron out it will be a cracking development and a real asset to the town
AC
Good news, and a good sign that a company with such directly relevant experience is taking the lead with it.
ad
sounds like a good plan
now get on with it its been long enough already
ad
agree too its time to sort out that scabby graffitied railway bridge and walkway (which should be paid for by the developer) cuz its like mugger ally there not nice at night and the brdige smells of drunks wee
Terry
It will be nice for these incredibly well off students to reside in.
Shrewsbury will be on the map for providing student facilities in listed buildings, who could resist such a life enhancing opportunity.
I can hear Hughie Green:
'double your student loan,
then try to get rich'
double your living costs
without a hitch
double your overdraft
without delay
come to Shrewsbury prison
for a huge debt today!