'We do not want to be a part of Telford' - Shifnal residents oppose Shropshire Council's local plan to bring hundreds more homes

The issue has come into sharper focus in recent days after Shropshire Council's confirmation it will look at sites to build 1,500 new homes in the 'east of the county' - potentially on green belt land - as it looks to salvage its local plan. 

The local plan is one of the most important documents any council produces and sets out where houses and business developments can be built for every town and village within its boundaries.

The cash-strapped local authority's local plan process was thrown into chaos last month, when inspectors voiced a series of major concerns with the proposal.

And, now in their response, Shropshire Council has outlined its ambitions and said it still hopes to get the plan adopted by 'mid 2026'.

But, to get the plan adopted the council will be targeting areas such as Shifnal, Albrighton, and Tong, for more significant development.

There was a common theme from Shifnal residents voicing their feelings about the local plan - concerns over the infrastructure to cope with fresh development.

It seemed to be on everybody's lips, and there were calls for more hospitals, schools, and car parking sites to accompany new housing plans.

Local resident Paula Rushton believes there are already "enough" houses in the area.

"It’s awful, there is a lack of infrastructure," she said. "We have already got so many new ones and we can’t get into the doctors, it’s terrible.