Green light for riverside flats at Frankwell Maltings

A Shrewsbury town centre warehouse which has stood empty for more than two decades will become apartments and a restaurant, after plans were voted through by Shropshire Council.

The 19th century Frankwell Quay warehouse, which sits next to the Welsh Bridge in the town’s former river port district, was used as a maltings until 1952 – but the “vacant and deteriorating” building will now become the latest phase of the rebooting of Shrewsbury’s traditionally more down-at-heel Frankwell district.

The building sits adjacent to the recently redeveloped Stew warehouse, as well as two civic buildings on Frankwell Quay constructed within the last twenty years – the 2009-built Theatre Severn, and the unitary authority’s Guildhall headquarters.

New plans for the building will see three floors added to the upper levels, part of a plan which will see a restaurant unit created on the ground floor and upper floors refurbished and extended to provide ten apartment units – some of which will be repurposed as holiday lets.

The warehouse on Frankwell Quay will be extended upwards with three new storeys. Credit: BCHN Architects

Planners at Shropshire Council had recommended the scheme for approval ahead of a meeting of the authority’s Northern Planning Committee in May.

“The proposed development would retain and refurbish the historic fabric of the warehouse, bringing it back into an active and viable use,” the council’s planning officers wrote in a report.

“This approach would enhance rather than harm the character and appearance of the conservation area by reinstating activity, improving the riverside environment and contributing positively to the evolving architectural character of Frankwell Quay. Importantly, no identified key views within the conservation area would be blocked or adversely affected by the proposals.”

BCHN Architects, who secured permission for Frankwell Quay Developments and Engrailed Cross Investments, said  the project will bring a long-term vacant building back into active use while contributing to the ongoing regeneration of one of Shrewsbury’s most historically significant riverside locations.

Paul Harries, director at BCHN Architects, said: “Frankwell Quay Warehouse is a building with a long and fascinating history, but one that has been vacant for many years and has fallen into a very poor condition. The challenge has been to retain the character and memory of the original warehouse while creating a viable new future for the building.

The building has stood empty for more than 20 years, prior to last week’s planning decision. Credit: BCHN Architects

“This part of Shrewsbury has continually evolved, from river port to industrial quarter and, more recently, into a cultural destination shaped by Theatre Severn and the growing number of restaurants, bars and leisure uses around Frankwell. The reimagined warehouse will add another important piece to that story.

“The approved design is deliberately clear about what is old and what is new. The existing masonry building will be repaired and restored, while the corten-clad extension provides a contemporary addition that responds to the scale and complexity of the riverside setting.

“Planning approval reflects a careful balance between heritage, townscape, viability and the practical realities of working on a constrained site within the conservation area. We are pleased that the scheme can now move forward and help bring new life and activity to this important riverside location.”

Documents and plans relating to the application can be viewed on Shropshire Council’s online planning portal using reference: 24/03384/FUL