Campaigners voice dismay over Shropshire local plan 'farce' with latest 1,500 homes green belt threat

Earlier this week Shropshire Council confirmed it is set to look for sites for another 1,500 homes in the east of the county as it looks to rescue its local plan.

The move will consider sites around Shifnal, Albrighton, and Tong, with the potential for green belt land to be selected.

Campaigners from Shifnal Matters, a group that has opposed development on green belt around the town, have reacted with disappointment at the news, warning that Shifnal lacks the infrastructure to cope with more homes.

Group member Tony Jemmett said: "Whilst we understand that Shropshire Council have been asked to provide sites for the unmet need for the West Midlands our objections remain the same, Shifnal is not the ideal location and does not have the infrastructure to cope with any further development or traffic. 

"As we have always maintained there are sites that are readily available both in Telford, initially set up to take the West Midlands overspill, and in Shrewsbury -  both just minutes down the M54."

The council's need to find fresh sites opens up the potential for a number of developments on the east of its boundary, including some that have previously been resisted.

While a number of options are likely to be considered there are two high profile schemes likely to come under consideration.

The first, from the Bradford Estates proposes creating a new 3,000 home settlement - complete with a significant employment site.

Called 'Weston', the development would be on land to the north of junction three of the M54, and west of the village of Tong.

Shropshire Council had decided not to include the proposal in its local plan, but lawyers from the Bradford Estates have challenged the move.

Another high-profile controversial project for 800 homes on land in Albrighton from Boningale Homes could also come into consideration.

Mr Jemmett said that even with the need to find space for new homes, the reasons for rejecting previous plans had not changed.

Referring to the Weston proposal he questioned the impact on the environment and the village of Tong - saying both meant it was not "fit for consideration".

He said: "The Bradford Estates development was discounted for good reason and those reasons haven't changed."

Mr Jemmett described the eight year local plan process as a "farce" and question how it had cost the taxpayer - while still being a long way from completed.