A major blueprint for the regeneration of Telford will transform it from a “1970s-style” outdated town centre into a bustling hub of shops, offices, homes, bars and restaurants, an inquiry has heard.
The Central Area Action Plan (CAAP) covers future provision of everything from housing and shops to leisure and the night-time economy.
The masterplan needs approval from independent inspector Paul Clark, who is chairing a four-day hearing which started yesterday at Meeting Point House in the town centre.
If it gets the green light the scheme then needs government approval before it becomes reality.
A row broke out on the opening day of the hearing between Telford & Wrekin Council planning chiefs and Hark Apollo, owners of Telford Shopping Centre.
Hark argue that projected future figures for revenue and growth which the council is basing the expansion on are flawed and inaccurate.
Bosses also say plans to introduce 60,000 sq m of extra retail floorspace are too ambitious and there is not enough demand.
But Michael Barker, head of planning at Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “What we have at the moment is an inward looking, predominantly 1970s based shopping centre.
“We want to see it transformed into a town centre serving the needs of an urban community.”
The inspector Mr Clark added: “Telford has a different character to other towns and that is what they (the council) are trying to change, it seems to me.
“They want a town centre that is not just shops, rather like it is now, but they also want housing, offices, leisure and night-time facilities.”
The inquiry heard a big part of the masterplan was the planned £250 million Southwater project around Telford Town Park and the International Centre, which will include offices, hotels, bars, restaurants, cafes and shops, a leisure centre, bingo hall and cinema.
Keith Greetham, chairman of Southwater Events Group, which runs the International Centre, said the plans would attract more businesses into the area to spend money.
The inquiry continues today before concluding next Wednesday and Thursday.