Railway station was considered under plans for new council HQ

Shrewsbury Railway Station was one of the five buildings assessed as possible locations for Shropshire Council’s new headquarters, it has been revealed.

The grade II listed station was looked at by consultants as part of an options appraisal which concluded that the Pride Hill shopping centre was the best site for the new offices.

The appraisal also considered the Riverside shopping centre, Guildhall and one other privately-owned building which has not been identified.

Councillors voted last week to progress with the new civic centre at Pride Hill and a redacted version of the options appraisal was published online, with details of the two buildings not owned by the council removed.

It was however not properly redacted, revealing the railway station as one of the other sites that was considered.

The report, by consultancy firm Arcadis, said: “The proposal will require the adaptation and refurbishment of existing floor space within a grade II listed building within a constrained and well used building with the need to co-ordinate with Network Rail, Transport for Wales and building users.

“Therefore, whilst the capital costs would be lower than a number of the alternative options, there are significant challenges we feel in demonstrating value for money.

“Network Rail/ Transport for Wales have not been fully engaged in this process and their needs are currently unknown.

“Should the landowner be amenable then the proposal could work within council programme parameters, however, it is noted that this is a high risk until such time as discussions have commenced with the landowner.

“It is also noted that the station is at the heart of wider rail infrastructure feasibility considerations and this could create further uncertainty and put at risk the programme.”

The cost of adapting the station building to accommodate the council was estimated at £6.5 million. It would remain in the ownership of Network Rail.

The report said the station was in an “excellent location to limit the need for private car use”.

But it said the building was not large enough to meet the council’s own space requirements, and there would be no room for other public sector organisations to be co-located, which is a key aim of the civic centre project.

It added: “Wider development of the station buildings aligns with the Castle Quarter element of the Big Town Plan, however, given the restrictions posed by the listed building status it is unlikely that this project would significantly contribute to wider plans.”

The report concluded that the station should be discounted, along with the other privately-owned building and the Riverside.

The council has also chosen not to consider the Guildhall any further, and progress with a new civic centre at Pride Hill.

A council spokesman said the report had now be properly redacted.

Network Rail and Transport for Wales declined to comment.