Wem Town Council gives support to Drayton Gate offices plan

The application, which will now go in front of councillors at Shropshire Council, was discussed by members at Wem Town Council’s full meeting last week.

However, while there was support for the application which will see the Drayton Gate, in Aston Street, turned into office space, any enthusiasm for the project was diluted with councillors lamenting the loss of a business.

Former mayor Councillor John Murray said it was ‘sad to see another business go from the High Street’.

Cllr Mandy Meakin added: “I don’t want to see more building on it and I hope they rectify the roof where as far as I’m aware, it hasn’t been looked at since the mid 1990s.”

Cllr Edward Towers said: “I agree with John that this is a traditional Wem place and means a lot.

“I hope that while change happens, it can be sympathetically done in the future.

“At least it’s not empty and bringing people into the town.”

Councillors voted unanimously to support the application while also supporting plans at Crossfield in Church Lane for a side extension and detached garage.

Meanwhile, town clerk Penny O’Hagan confirmed plans to adopt Wilmott Meadow Open Space will be postponed while issues are ironed out.

She said: “I wanted to proceed to the full adoption vote.

“But there’s a few issues such as removal of a salt bin and two silver birch trees snapped off in high winds so they have to be re-planted.

“No desire to proceed until it’s resolved.

“I’m waiting on the dog bin to be looked after so liaising with Shropshire Council for a fortnight collection of it.

“Residents are used to it be being regularly emptied but Wem Town Council can’t do it. I will bring it back to the November meeting for figures and updates.”

In other items, Cllr Chris Mellings gave an update on the current situation with the White Horse in the High Street.

He indicated the difficulty to take the property from the Crown services, who now own it, but will provide future updates.