Shropshire Council has approved an application to build on the Old Smithfield car park which will result in the loss of 145 parking spaces, despite overwhelming objections by the people of the town. The car park was purchased by Bridgnorth District Council to ensure it remained as a car park in perpetuity. It has subsequently been sold to Sainsbury's.

The Secretary of State has stepped in and stopped this pending a public inquiry. The Chamber has registered as a party at the inquiry. This is not an appeal by the Chamber, the Secretary of State has made the decision so the normal rules regarding costs awarded against the losing party do not apply. This means the Chamber cannot recover its legal costs even if the Secretary of State agrees the car park cannot be built on.

IT ALSO MEANS THAT THE CHAMBER WILL NOT HAVE COSTS AWARDED AGAINST THEM AS LONG AS WE COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INSPECTOR. WE WILL NOT BE ASKING FOR MORE MONEY AND THERE IS NO RISK TO MEMBERS, AS HAS BEEN CLAIMED BY THOSE TRYING TO UNDERMINE OUR CAMPAIGN!

The Chamber have employed a barrister and our legal team are preparing our case to put to the inquiry arguing that the loss of parking will have a devastating effect on our Town Centre.

Bridgnorth won the Great British High Street award in 2016 and is a classic example of a traditional market town which has kept its character with its wonderful range of independent traders and Saturday market attracting shoppers in from surrounding towns.

We need to raise funds to cover the balance of the legal costs for the inquiry. This includes barrister's fees, retail impact assessment costs, expert witness expenses, etc. Many donations have already been received and as we receive more the crowdfunding total will reduce accordingly until we have reached the required amount already needed. Any further unforeseen costs will be met by the Chamber.

Developers are succeeding in getting planning permission for edge of town developments which have resulted in the demise of High Streets in towns across the Country. They succeed because the legal costs of opposing them put objectors off. We believe Bridgnorth is worth fighting for. Crowdfunding enables communities to now effectively defend their towns. Please support us in Saving Old Smithfield.