Article taken from the Shropshire star Newspaper 24th June 2010
A multi-million pound regeneration scheme in part of Telford can get underway after plans were given the go ahead.
The scheme will see a new school, playground, nature park and homes being built in Dawley and Malinslee. The proposal was approved at a council plans board meeting last night. Councillors threw their support behind the project after hearing the plans will also include new sports facilties.
The scheme includes pitches for football, rugby, hockey and cricket and athletics track and a BMX track as part of the new Phoenix school site.
Councillor Helen Williams said: ” I fully support the regeneration of Dawley. The proposed sports and learning community would bring a vibrancy and life back into Dawley. I believe this will be a real asset to the residents, encouraging young and old to use the facility and suport the local economy, hopefully with extra spending power bringing in more quality shops and facilities to the area.”
And the proposed sports facilities have been praised by the British Cycling Organisation, which has suggested that the BMX track could be used for national competitions.
The plan to regenerate the area was launched in 2007 and has been split into two phases.
The first will see the school and its facilities, three small shops and a supermarket come into the town, while the second phase will be to build 342 new homes and a ecology park.
At the meeting, full planning permission was granted for infrastructure and drainage works to begin to prepare the site, while outline planning permission was granted for the new buildings and landscaping.
Once completed, the main school building will occupy the site of the former council offices on Paddock Mount, and will also make use of the vacant Lord Hill pub.
And West Mercia Police had requested a drop in centre be provided once the development is complete, so that officers can communicate better with residents.