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Friday, October 28, 2022
GREEN LIGHT FOR BUSINESS UNITS PLAN Planners approve workshops scheme for old maternity wing
Planners have given the go-ahead for proposals to change the former maternity unit at Ludlow Hospital into units for small businesses.
The Shropshire Council planning department has used delegated powers to allow Godrich & Bergius to create the new units for small businesses. Opposition to the plan centred on the loss of some 18 parking spaces at the site off Gravel Hill. But the planning officials say this is an operational matter for the health trust which agreed to the plans and is therefore not in the remit of planners to decide. Meanwhile, councillors have spoken out to quell fears that a part of the Ludlow Hospital
DAVID TOOLEY
david.tooley@mnamedia.co.uk site could be used for housing. Councillors Andy Boddington and Tracey Huffer say a lot of concern had blown up around ‘incorrect information’ that the unit was being lined up for housing. In their report, Shropshire Council’s planning officers said: “Objections have been received on the basis that the loss of the parking spaces to the development and the impact that this will have on existing and future service provision from the site. “No objections have been received on this basis by the health board who it is understood sold the building including the car parking spaces. “Any future plans for the adja-
cent hospital site are also a matter for the health board. As such these are issues/arrangements are matters which go beyond the merits of the proposal subject to this planning application.” The council’s highways section was reported to be “content” with the planning application on highway and pedestrian safety grounds. Councillor Huffer said a lot of concern had blown up after incorrect information was circulated that the former maternity unit was to be demolished for housing. “The building was closed for any health service use after decades of lack of maintenance. It is no longer fit for health purposes. There is a whole ward empty in the more modern building next door. “We absolutely need to keep a hospital in Ludlow.”
Talent show contestant at lights switch-on A former television talent show hopeful will be the star turn at the Ludlow Christmas lights switch-on. Russell Jones, who grew up in Pontypool, was a contestant on the X Factor in 2017 and appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2012 as part of the group Only Boys Aloud. He has also performed alongside The Saturdays and Ellie Goulding. A spokesman for Ludlow Town Council said: “Our Christmas tree
has been picked out and we are excited to confirm that Russell Jones will be singing on the Sunshine Radio stage in the build up to the lights switch-on.” A winter festival on the weekend of November 25 to 27 is being put together. Organisations from across the town have rallied round to run festive markets on the square over the entire weekend with a Christmas bazaar and craft market in St
Laurence’s Church and a Makers’ Market in the castle. The lights will go on at 5pm on the Saturday, followed by the Rotary Tree Of Light, before the castle opens its doors for the Festival of Light. The festival ends on November 27 with a night of comedy from 7.30pm at Ludlow Brewery, with comedians Tal Davies, Noel James and special guest Alistair McGowan with Paul Jennings as compere.
Group members show off their display at Bucknell Memorial Hall with Debbie Pope, front left, and Sylvia Meredith, right
Over 3,000 poppies create a waterfall-style memorial A number of ladies from a south Shropshire village have come together to create a stunning tribute to soldiers who have lost their lives in conflict. Led by local arts and crafts enthusiast Debbie Pope, the tribute holds a total of 3,126 poppies which have been crocheted, knitted and sewn by volunteers. The project started about six months ago, with a group of 24 ladies from Bucknell village, working hard to create the piece. It is being stored away until it is put up at the village’s war memorial on Thursday, when the Rev Martin Quayle, of Bucknell’s St Mary Church, will hold a dedication cer-
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emony. Debbie said: “It started six months ago and a couple of ladies were chatting over coffee and we were talking about how beautiful the poppy display was at the Tower of London. She put out a call out to members of local community groups, including the Women’s Institute, who offered to help. “Everybody worked really hard on the project and special mention should be made of Julie Parker, who made over 700 poppies herself.” Debbie said the display would look as though the poppies were bursting out of the church and cascading down in a waterfall shape.