Shropshire Council have recently published the Regulation 18: Pre-Submission
Draft of the Shropshire Local Plan 2016 to 2038 (August 2020) which can be viewed here.
The document is 341 pages long but there are a few sections that are of significant interest to the residents of the Shifnal South and Cosford district.
Firstly, given that Shifnal is designated as a Key Centre (page 328) it is notable that developments in the town are significantly greater than the other Key Centres. Indeed they are more in line with those towns designated as Principal Centres.
Details of the Shifnal Place Plan Area can be found on page 240. There is a proposal for 41 ha of employment land and 92.8 ha of safeguarded land. The proposal is the same as previously apart from the removal of land between the A4169 and A646.
Some good news though is that the Junction 3 Garden Village has not been allocated although this may be appealed by Bradford Estates. However there is now land outside of the Cosford Base that is said to be for the Air Ambulance. This is concerning to resident locally who are questioning why such a large plot of land is needed for that purpose.
There is also currently a proposal from Telford Council to develop the Hem, Nedge Lane http://www.estatesandinvestments.co.uk/land-property-search/land-residential/public-consultation-the-hem-nedge-lane-telford : residents should also complete feedback on this consultation. The password is for the technical documentation is Hem1260.
In advance of the Town Council meeting tomorrow (20th August) I have received advanced questions from a Town Councillor asking:
“ [are you] prepared to put as much pressure as possible on the political and officer leadership of the Council and our MP to amend the Plan to properly reflect the views of the Shifnal community as expressed in the responses to the 2018/2019 Regulation 18 consultation.”
and in the context of the recent government White Paper “Planning for the future” that the Government intends to change the Local Plan system
“Would [I] be able to ask the political and officer leadership of Shropshire Council what the implications of these [ forthcoming potential changes are on the local plan review process.”
My answer to both questions is YES.
Be assured, I will be forthright in my views. I’m not a politician , have no personal affiliations and my priority is Shifnal not Shirehall. I am happy to convey the views of the Town Council as I’m in agreement with its priorities and concerns.
I am also a local resident and I am personally affected by the planned developments.
I have today made contact with the leader of Shropshire Council, Peter Nutting, questioning the release of Green Belt land around Shifnal, indicating my support of the Town Council’s position and also highlighting the risk to our border with Telford.
I have also had a conversation with the leader of Tong Parish Council, Paul Fisher, regarding the extension to the air base and will continue those discussions.
I urge residents to support Shifnal Matters, Shifnal Planning Matters, the Town Council and to ensure their voice is heard. We can get things changed, and we’ve proven that already at Junction 3.
I will continue to listen to residents and can be contacted at ebirdshropshire@gmail.com, on Twitter @EdwardBirdShrop and on Shifnal Town Everyday Chat (where I regularly lurk).
I know that it’s been an awful few months for everyone, but myself and the Town Council are here to help where we can.
Edward Bird - Councillor for Shifnal South and Cosford 