Shifnal campaigners fear Shropshire's local plan bombshell will turn development focus back on the town

Shifnal Matters, which has repeatedly raised concerns over the scale of planned housing and employment developments around the town, was speaking after planning inspectors delivered an ultimatum to Shropshire Council.

The inspectors, who are examining the authority's much-delayed local plan, have been so frustrated at perceived failings in the document that they have given officials until the end of January to come up with a plan to fix it within six months.

One of the central issues in the complaints is the planning inspectors' belief that Shropshire Council is not providing enough homes and employment sites to meet its stated ambitions.

Worryingly for Shifnal Matters, the planning inspectors' letter outlining their issues seems to suggest the Shifnal area could be targeted for further development.

That suggestion centres on Shropshire Council's own offer to provide 1,500 homes for Black Country (BC) councils, along with 30 hectares of employment land.