Changes to the Ironworks entrance form a large part of the planning dossier and company boss Clive Knowles – who will be picking up the ‘substantial’ bill for the work – said he had been working closely with Highways England.

“They have been very helpful – they are very professional and very thorough and won’t skimp on anything. The safety of roads users is imperative and we are agreeing various steps to improve access,” said Mr Knowles.

“Yes, it’s an expensive process because there are only a certain number of contractors we can use

– not everyone can work on a key road like the A5. We are looking to provide a separate feeder road coming from Oswestry, and an extra turning lane from Shrewsbury with a wider, better entrance.

“I don’t know what timescale we are looking at for the application. We just want things sorted.

“We have a staff of almost 90 people and have become the biggest tourism employer in the area. The staff have lived under this cloud for a long time.”

Mr Knowles does not expect to have any problems over the quality of the buildings on the site.

“We would never have put up buildings used by visitors if we were not 100 per cent assured of their safety,” he said.

“Everything we have ever done at the Ironworks has been completed to a very high standard. Everyone who comes here can see that for themselves.

“We have received a lot of support for our application – we have about 6,000 signatories on a petition and have received about 500 letters of support.

“We are very grateful that we have a place in the hearts of a great many people.

“People look at what we provide and have asked me whether we are a charity, whether we are government owned or a business. The lines have become blurred because of what we try to achieve. We are a very different type of firm. We broke the mould of the way businesses behave.

“That has been very endearing for us. People are comfortable coming here and being under no pressure at all to buy or to spend any money – and to let their children enjoy our open spaces. We try to embrace every generation.

“If we do not receive permission, I believe it would be devastating for the area. It would be devastating for the young entrepreneurs with the Shropshire Youth Support Trust – what would happen to them? What would happen to the Buy in Shropshire initiative we support from here? To the charities, organisations and community groups we support? To our national campaign against knife crime?

“The impact the Ironworks have had on the area has been quite profound.”