THE group tasked with improving Oswestry’s public spaces has given residents an update on the work it is doing.

The Future Oswestry Group, made up of Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council, Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID) and members of the community, is working on a variety of projects.

Officers from Shropshire Council, on behalf of the group, have announced updates for the project.

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They said: “It’s important that local people and businesses feel informed about what’s going on in Oswestry in terms of public spaces, future developments, roads and highways, and projects that will enhance everyday life.

“The Future Oswestry partnership was set up in 2020 to help deliver activities and projects that will benefit the town, its residents and its businesses.”

 

Proposed solar farm at former landfill site, Maesbury Road, Oswestry

Shropshire Council is preparing to apply for planning permission to construct an approximate two megawatt (MW) solar farm on a closed landfill site in Maesbury Road.

Following completion of a feasibility report for the site in March 2021, and approval from Full Council in January 2022, work is focused on negotiating a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a local business and obtaining the additional documentation and evidence required to submit a planning application.

 

Oswestry Innovation Park

Shropshire Council will shortly be procuring an organisation to lead the infrastructure works (including roads and utilities) for the business park.

It is the council’s ambition that, once infrastructure works have been completed, serviced employment land plots will follow and be available from 2024/25, subject to contracting arrangements.

 

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

The draft Shropshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) was approved to go out to public consultation by Shropshire Council’s Cabinet on March 8, 2023.

The draft LCWIP has been developed to provide a cohesive approach to the delivery of a high-quality walking and cycling network across Shropshire.

The core purpose of the LCWIP is to identify and prioritise long-term investment over a 10-year period (up to 2032) in new and upgraded walking and cycling provision across Shropshire.

A draft network plan for both walking and cycling has been developed for Oswestry.

Public consultation opens on Monday, April 17. The team will be at Oswestry Market on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 from 8.30am-12noon.

 

Festival Square engagement

Oswestry BID has been awarded grant funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to complete a feasibility study on the best way forward for Festival Square.

A variety of options have been suggested in recent years around how Festival Square might best serve the town. Oswestry BID would like to hear from businesses, residents, and visitors.

You can also share your thoughts with Louise Christian at Environmental Associates, via email LC@environmentalassociates.net or call 01244 311666.

 

Roadsigns action plan

Following a first phase of roadsign improvements – removal, repair, cleaning, or repositioning – Oswestry BID are producing a new prioritised action list for the next phase.

 

Keep up to date with news and updates from the Future Oswestry partnership by following their Facebook and Twitter accounts @FutureOswestry.

 

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