Unlocking heritage-led regeneration in Shrewsbury

• The client: Shropshire Council and Historic England

• The challenge: Regenerating the Grade II listed Flax Mill site near Shrewsbury, which required securing land for access despite title constraints, highway concerns, and resistant owners

• The outcome: Promoted two compulsory purchase orders on budget, transforming the site into a multi-use hub with a museum, café, and business units while enabling future housing

Supporting Shropshire Council and Historic England to deliver the transformation of the historic Flax Mill site through successful compulsory purchase and collaborative project delivery.

The challenge

We partnered with Shropshire Council and Historic England to enable the regeneration of the Grade II listed Flax Mill, a landmark site near Shrewsbury town centre. This major heritage project has delivered a vibrant mix of uses, including a museum, café, event space and business units, while also acting as a catalyst for wider economic development in the area.

The solution

To help secure the land required for public realm improvements, parking and enhanced access, we advised on and promoted two separate compulsory purchase orders under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This included successful acquisition of landscaped areas and two takeaway premises to create a new gateway and enable future housing development on adjacent land.

The project presented complex challenges, including property title constraints, local concerns over new highway links and negotiating voluntary acquisitions with resistant property owners. We supported the council with detailed compulsory purchase order governance advice, Cabinet reporting and statement of reasons drafting. The project stayed on track and within budget because of regular, focused collaboration between ourselves, Shropshire Council, Historic England and its legal team.

The impact

Our work has been central to unlocking the long-term potential of the Flax Mill as a key regeneration asset, providing a new link into Shrewsbury town centre and opening the door to further investment and housing delivery in the area.