Shropshire Council and its development manager, RivingtonHark, has appointed a design team and communications agency this week, as they step up planning on the Smithfield Riverside regeneration project in Shrewsbury town centre.
The Smithfield Riverside project is an ambitious regeneration plan for the area between the Darwin Centre, Roushill and the River Severn – incorporating the Riverside and Pride Hill centres – in Shrewsbury town centre.
Part of wider plans to attract new visitors, residents and workers into Shrewsbury and grow the local economy, the vision for Smithfield Riverside is to reconnect this underused area to the rest of the town centre and create a modern and sustainable new destination. Although early in the process, the plans are expected to deliver a vibrant mix of leisure, residential and office uses, complemented by world class outdoor public spaces that celebrate the riverside environment.
FaulknerBrowns Architects has been appointed to lead on the design and are tasked with bringing together a high-quality outline masterplan – one that unlocks the potential of this prime location and enhances the current town centre offer. With studios in Newcastle, Dublin and Vancouver, the firm work has designed multiple flagship projects, such as the Guinness Quarter in Dublin and The Goodsyard in East London.
Working alongside FaulknerBrowns is landscape architects Spacehub, whose designs will seek to create attractive new public realm and truly open up the area between the Darwin Centre and the River Severn, celebrating its waterfront setting.
Counter Context, a specialist communications, PR and engagement company based in Sheffield, has been appointed to lead on stakeholder engagement and public consultation for Smithfield Riverside. The agency has worked on several major regeneration masterplans across the UK, including in Sheffield, Bradford, Manchester and Kirklees.
Lezley Picton, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:
“We are incredibly excited about the future of Shrewsbury town centre and our vision to regenerate the Smithfield and Riverside area is at the very heart of that. We are bringing together an expert development team who cover all aspects of urban regeneration to work alongside our talented team at the Council. Utilising the team’s sector knowledge and experience, we are confident of delivering a transformational masterplan for the town.”
Dean Carroll, Cabinet member for Growth, Regeneration and Housing at Shropshire Council, added:
“Smithfield Riverside is an opportunity to not only transform this area of the town centre, but act as a catalyst for future investment and growth across the whole of Shropshire. We are looking forward to developing the outline masterplan over the coming months and engagement with key stakeholder organisations is set to begin in the coming weeks.”
Spencer Winter, Projects Director at RivingtonHark, said:
“Following our appointment as development manager on Smithfield Riverside, we have facilitated a thorough procurement process and are delighted to now have the design and communications teams all in place. We are starting to build some real momentum with the project. Everyone involved in the project is aligned in their thinking and we’re excited to deliver a game changing town centre masterplan for Shrewsbury.”
Ben Sykes, Partner at FaulknerBrowns Architects, said:
“We are thrilled to be working with Shropshire Council on this vision for the future of the Smithfield Riverside site. The project is an exciting opportunity to respond to the unique setting and architectural heritage of Shrewsbury, with a mixed-use masterplan for new homes, workspaces, leisure and public spaces that celebrates the riverside and better connects the site back to the town centre.”
Harriet Knowles, Director at Counter Context, commented:
“We are delighted to be appointed on Smithfield Riverside. Shrewsbury is already a beautiful town and this ambitious masterplan will give the town centre an altogether new dynamic and take it to even greater heights. Our role on the project is to ensure that the public, local businesses and other key stakeholders get a genuine opportunity to help shape the masterplan.
“The fact that we’ve been brought in right at the start of the design process demonstrates a genuine commitment from both Shropshire Council and RivingtonHark to ensure meaningful engagement and consultation throughout the development of the scheme.”
A public consultation for Smithfield Riverside is targeted for early 2024 with a planning application expected to be submitted in Summer 2024.
