Local expert team appointed to help shape the future of the Quarry in Shrewsbury

A Shrewsbury-based team led by landscape architects Camlins has been appointed by Shrewsbury Town Council to develop a new Conservation Management Plan for the Quarry - one of the town’s best-loved public spaces and a key part of its historic and civic identity.

The plan will help guide the future care, protection and enhancement of the 29-acre park, ensuring the Quarry remains resilient, welcoming and accessible while responding to changing environmental, social and operational needs.

Located in the heart of the town beside the River Severn, The Quarry is widely regarded as one of Shrewsbury’s defining public spaces, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors every year for everything from dog walking to the weekly Park Run and a series of major events that attract visitors from across the UK.

Camlins is leading the consultant team, working alongside property consultancy Berrys and BCHN Architects, with support from Salopian Consultancy, Hightopp Creations and f.r.a. The appointment brings together expertise in landscape architecture, heritage, planning, arboriculture, ecology, play and wayfinding, with a strong emphasis on local knowledge and collaboration.

Both Paul Shirley Smith of Camlins and Mike Cruise of BCHN were closely involved in the creation of the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Masterplan Vision, giving the team an informed understanding of the wider ambitions, constraints and opportunities shaping the future of the town centre. That insight will help ensure the plan for The Quarry is rooted not only in conservation best practice, but in a broader vision for Shrewsbury’s future.

Paul Shirley Smith, director at Camlins, said: “The Quarry is one of the great public spaces in Shropshire and a real jewel in Shrewsbury’s crown that has been wonderfully maintained by the council.

“It has huge importance not only as a historic park, but as a place that people use, enjoy and identify with every day. This project is about understanding what makes it special, protecting that character and finding sensitive, practical ways to help it thrive long into the future.

“What is particularly powerful about this team is the depth of local knowledge around the table. We know The Quarry, we know Shrewsbury and we understand the wider conversations already taking place about the future of the town. That gives us a strong foundation for developing a plan that is ambitious, realistic and shaped by the people who care most about this space.”

Councillor Rob Wilson, leader of Shrewsbury Council, said: “The Quarry is one of Shrewsbury’s most important public assets and this Conservation Management Plan will play a vital role in helping us preserve it for future generations. It is encouraging to have such a strong team in place, with genuine local expertise and a clear understanding of both the park’s significance and the expectations the community rightly has for it.

“This will be a collaborative process and we are looking forward to speaking to as many people as possible as the project evolves. We want to make sure the plan reflects not just the heritage of the Quarry but also responds to how people use it today and how it might be used in the future, all underpinned by a commitment to retaining this incredibly special green community space that is an essential part of Shrewsbury’s identity.”

The Conservation Management Plan will be a central focus at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting on Thursday 30 April at The Guildhall in Frankwell and the council is keen for as many people as possible to attend.

Helen Ball, Town Clerk of Shrewsbury Town Council, said: “This year’s Annual Town Meeting is a real opportunity for residents to have their say particularly on the future of The Quarry. We want as many people as possible to come along, share their views, and help shape how this important space is designed, used and protected.”