Garden centre and Waitrose plans submitted
Manchester-based HOW Planning has submitted a full planning application for the redevelopment of the Percy Thrower Garden Centre in Shrewsbury alongside the development of a new 41,900 sq ft Waitrose store.
The application was submitted jointly on behalf of Cranford Developments, the Garden & Leisure Group and Waitrose.
Conor Vallelly, senior planner at HOW Planning, said: "The Percy Thrower Garden Centre is a longstanding and highly regarded local firm however the layout and ageing nature of the buildings pose a limit to the future growth and efficiency of the business. The plans provide a unique opportunity to develop a bespoke new facility for the garden centre which will deliver a number of substantial benefits to the area."
The Oteley Road garden centre site forms part of a larger area designated for major development in Shropshire Council's Core Strategy for a new urban extension to the south of Shrewsbury which includes new housing, commercial and retail uses.
The scheme will provide a new bespoke Percy Thrower Garden Centre, a full offer Waitrose store and smaller retail units accessed from a new signal controlled junction to Oteley Road.
Matt Parry, planning director of Cranford Developments, said: "We have worked hard to deliver a high quality scheme which if approved will ensure the future success of the garden centre. The plans were very well received by the community and I believe that local people are looking forward to the prospect of a new Waitrose store which will compliment the investment the company have already made in Shrewsbury."
The plans for the new garden centre include external display areas and coach parking for visiting groups. The new Waitrose store will include an energy centre to help power the store and would complement the retailers existing Little Waitrose store at Pride Hill in the town.
