Shropshire’s communities could “continue to decline” with services and facilities being withdrawn and pubs, primary schools or village shops put at risk if they are not earmarked for more homes, it was warned today.

County-based Balfours issued the warning in the wake of appeals by rural campaign groups for support from the Government for rural areas.

Earlier this year the Commission for Rural Communities raised concerns about issues facing rural communities which it said needed to be addressed.

These included a focus on the impact of the recession on rural areas, while Dr Stuart Burgess, the Government’s Rural Advocate and chairman of the CRC issued his own calls to help the rural economy.

He called on policy makers to help sustain the rural economy, rural communities and people in need of access to the highest quality health services, and for support to help them find a new job and said getting the right health services in rural areas was a particular challenge.

Today Balfours has raised its own concerns about how rural communities are affected if they are not put forward for new homes development.

Its message follows a promise by shadow housing minister Grant Shapps’ to grant powers to allow villages to expand by 10 per cent over 10 years, if the Conservatives were to win a general election.

But Karine Swanson, Balfours planning consultant, says it is important the issue is focused on now and not if and when there is a change in Government

She said: “Firstly the present planning policy for Shropshire is currently undergoing a complete overhaul and the council has asked people to tell them which rural settlements should grow over the next 20 years.

“Secondly, Shropshire Council is now operating interim policies intended to increase the supply of affordable housing by encouraging people to build their own affordable homes close to existing settlements.

“And finally, settlements which are not earmarked for growth will probably continue to decline in terms of the services and facilities available, we have already seen pubs, primary schools and village shops closing, without new housing these facilities cannot be taken for granted.”