Village set to fight bid for growth

Wednesday 9th September 2009, 10:00AM BST.

A Shropshire village could be swallowed up and lose its identity under a new planning blueprint designed to shape development in the county over the next 20 years, it was claimed today.

Under plans unveiled by Shropshire Council, Bayston Hill, near Shrewsbury, along with several other villages across the region, has been identified as a local centre designed for extra housing and development.

But the proposals have sparked fear among the community with residents claiming it could see the village effectively merged with areas such as Meole Brace on the outskirts of Shrewsbury.

Members of Bayston Hill Parish Council held a special full council meeting on Monday night when councillors unanimously agreed to raise formal objections.

Today Councillor Ted Clarke, Shropshire Council ward member for Bayston Hill, Column and Sutton, said he was against the ideas set out in the authority’s core strategy.

He said: “What came through in the consultation document was the suggestion that Bayston Hill and Dorrington would be more inclined to accommodate more housing than others in the rural area.

“We are resisting that and our view is that if we are not careful we will grow into a part of Shrewsbury and there will be no separating us.”

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