This week I attended parish and Shropshire council meetings. On Monday 14th I attended the Donington with Boscobel parish council meeting where concerns were raised about flooding in Long Lane and environmental health issues amongst other things. We also discussed the development of Boscobel House and I have contacted officers to expedite their planning application which has support of the parish council.
Yesterday morning, the 18th December, I attended the full Shropshire Council and I’m pleased to say that the Shifnal Road scheme was unanimously approved by full council. As previously stated, I am glad Shifnal will receive over £2 million in investment which will improve the state of the Town centre and calm traffic flow, whilst also improving the Aston Street junction.
Finally, last night, I attended Shifnal Town Council. If I’m honest, it was a difficult meeting, as members were showing signs of frustration. The last 6 months has been tough for everyone, and that would have contributed to the general atmosphere. It is clear though that the Town Council is not agile enough in its decision making and actions.
I have noted a question from the general public and it is clear that the removal of green belt is the Town’s number 1 concern (and my own). Whilst I have previously questioned Shropshire Council’s cabinet about the Local Plan review (firstly the employment land in November, then the length of the consultation this month), I will continue to do so, more aggressively as I found the previous responses to be unsatisfactory.
Shropshire Council has published the Reg 19: pre-submission draft of the Shropshire Local Plan and its supporting documents to invite representations from all parties on compliance with all legal requirements. The deadline is 5pm on Friday 5 February 2021.
Shifnal is classified by Shropshire Council as a ‘Key Centre’, with RAF Cosford, also within the district, as a ‘Strategic Site’ (page 14 of the draft, see link below). The contentious element is on page 50, which discusses the release of Green Belt, and as the report itself states ‘The NPPF advises that, Green Belt boundaries should only be altered in exceptional circumstances through the preparation or updating of Local Plans.’ The Town Council has previously submitted its opinion that there are not sufficient exceptional circumstances to warrant changes to boundaries, and I will be asking further questions of cabinet, to again make this point.
Shifnal has been subject to a high level of house building, and I made this statement publicly at Shropshire Council. The further eroding of green belt around the Town is unecessary, unwarranted and unwanted.
Edward Bird - Councillor for Shifnal South and Cosford 