How was the Future Oswestry Masterplan developed?

The Future Oswestry Masterplan and Vision is the outcome of collaborative work between Shropshire Council, Oswestry Town Council and the Oswestry Business Improvement District (BID).

In 2020, a team of consultants led by Allies and Morrisons started the process to prepare the masterplan document. This included:

• a physical analysis of the town
• research and review of socio-economic indicators, existing policies and strategies
• a review of the property market
• engagement with local residents and interested people and organisations through an online survey link, workshops, Library exhibition and market stalls.
• refining the initial masterplan proposals in light of comments received through the engagement process.

This work and the comments received has shaped and modified the vision and objectives within the masterplan document being consulted on. Please visit the Future Oswestry Masterplan consultation for more details. 

What does the Future Oswestry Masterplan include?

The masterplan document sets out the aims, aspirations, and vision for Oswestry and provides details of the engagement work to date and how this has informed the draft report.

The three strands of the vision identified within the report are for Oswestry to be a better place to live, a better place to work and a healthier and more sustainable town. These strands were refined following the engagement activities undertaken in 2021.

From these key strands, four areas of focus within Oswestry have been identified where more significant change is anticipated: the Cambrian Gateway, the Castle Quarter, the Church Street Quarter and the approach into town from the Mile End area.

For each area, a vision is needed to make sure interventions work together result in a coordinated, positive place.

In addition to the four key areas, a range of opportunities and potential projects – Big Ideas for Oswestry – have been highlighted that will require further investigation and discussion.

Some of the major ideas in the plan include considering options for the future re-development of the former Morrisons site, improving accessibility and connectivity, enhancing green and public space, bringing vacant properties back to use, managing car parking, strengthening the cultural offer, and better bus services.

Please note, the 'Big ideas' outlined are ideas not proposals, so:

• No in principle decisions have been made on whether specific projects or ideas will be implemented or actioned.
• Following approval of the Future Oswestry Plan, one of the key next steps will be to prepare a delivery plan.
• Further community and stakeholder engagement will play an important role in determining whether and how any specific projects are progressed.
• More detailed and, where necessary, technical work will be required to bring any of these or other projects forward.

Why go out to consultation?

The consultation will test the collective vision, the areas of focus and big ideas identified, and seek views and any key priority activities and projects.

No in principle decisions have been made on whether specific projects or ideas identified within the plan will be implemented or actioned. Further community and stakeholder engagement will play an important role in determining whether and how any specific projects are progressed.

Following the consultation period, careful consideration will be given to the comments made on the draft Future Oswestry Masterplan. Amendments to the Masterplan will then be made in response to the comments made, wherever possible.

If the Vision and Masterplan is adopted, then the feasibility of suggested projects and priorities will be investigated further to provide an action plan of short, medium and long term actions to guide future developments in line with the vision and objectives. This will support future funding bids to Government and other sources to develop and deliver the actions it proposes.

But what then? Further community and stakeholder engagement will play an important role in directing, devising and shaping the delivery plan and how any specific projects are then taken forward. You can register your interest in receiving updates, invites to further discussions and meetings on the emerging projects and big ideas by contacting futureoswestry@shropshire.gov.uk.

More detailed and, where necessary, technical work will be required to bring any of these or other projects forward.

The consultation on the Future Oswestry Masterplan will run from Wednesday 9 February to Thursday 24 March 2022 to seek the views of residents, community groups, businesses and stakeholders on the Masterplan report. The aim of the masterplan is to support the long-term regeneration of the town centre and the wider town.

Opportunities to have your say!

Copies of the display information and the survey form will be available at the drop-in exhibitions to read or take away. This information can also be collected from Oswestry Town Library or Oswestry Guildhall reception from Wednesday 9 February 2022. You can also return your completed survey to the Oswestry Town Library or Oswestry Guildhall reception by 5pm on Thursday 24 March 2022.

You can feedback your comments through the survey, or come along to drop-in exhibitions in key locations in Oswestry to meet and share your views with the team on:

• Wednesday 9 February from 10am to 2pm at the old Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop, 12 The Cross Oswestry
• Wednesday 16 February from 9:30 – 2pm at the old Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop, 12 The Cross, Oswestry
• Tuesday 22 February from 10 – 4pm at the Memorial Hall, Festival Square
• Wednesday 23 February from 12 – 4pm at Oswestry Library
• Wednesday 9 March from 2 – 5pm at the old Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop, 12 The Cross, Oswestry

Further dates are being added for meeting with key stakeholders and drop-in exhibitions – these will be promoted via the Future Oswestry webpage, local press, and social media.

Alternatively, send any comments to futureoswestry@shropshire.gov.uk or post to Future Oswestry Consultation, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND.