Developing a former council depot in Ellesmere will be key in increasing tourism across North Shropshire.

Cllr Lezley Picton, portfolio holder for culture and leisure,  said the Swan Hill Depot will also be used to increase income.

Its future forms part of the 10-year Shropshire Great Outdoors Strategy which has been approved by the Shropshire County Council cabinet.

The action plan aims to increase the county’s tourism economy by 25 per cent to £125 million, while also improving health and wellbeing.

Cllr Picton said: “We are aware that there are significant gaps in the outdoor assets in north and east Shropshire but there is an aspirations to improve this through a new approach to green infrastructure development via the local plan and this work is ongoing.

“Over the past few years the priorities for the Outdoor Partnerships Team has been to grow their own income to in some way compensation to cuts in the council’s budget.

“This has grown from £118,000 per annum in 2013 to £500,000 for this financial year.

“The focus of further increasing income continues with extension of the Severn Valley Country Park visitor centre and also the proposed development of the Swan Hill Depot in Ellesmere.”

The future of the site has been a source of concern for residents in the town.

In 2015 it was the subject of a planning application by CMS JAW Ltd to build nine homes which was rejected by Shropshire councillors and refused again at appeal.

Ellesmere Town Council also attempted to make it an Asset of Community Value in the hope of protecting it for community use but this was turned down by Shropshire Council.

But earlier this year the unitary authority signaled that the site could be used as a water sports centre, including a cafe and indoor play facilities.

The meeting also saw praise for the volunteers of the Parish Paths Partnership (3Ps) which sees parish councils work to maintain footpaths.

Cllr Robert Macey said he was “delighted” to see local groups win an accolade for their work at last week’s Oswestry Civic Society Awards.

Cllr Picton thanked the work volunteers, parish and town councils, and also Shropshire Council’s Outdoor Partnerships Team and partner organisations for their work on the strategy.