Two greenfield sites on the outskirts of Shrewsbury could be swallowed up to make way for housing and economic development projects over the next 17 years.

Plans outlined by Shropshire Council for the long-term future of the county also show more than 6,000 homes are likely to be built in the town during the period up to 2026.

Officials are now suggesting that greenfields sites in areas between Oteley Road and Hereford Road in Meole Brace, and Welshpool Road in Bicton Heath should be sacrificed to meet the targets of the vision.

But Karen Lloyd, secretary and development officer for Shrewsbury Civic Society, today claimed targeting those sites could make the historic town’s perimeter ugly. She also said Shrewsbury did not have the infrastructure to cope with such a big expansion.

Dave Wallace, team leader for Communities and Housing Policy with Shropshire Council, said: “The Regional Spatial Strategy is likely to recommend that 6,500 houses will need to be built in the Shrewsbury area in the period 2006-2026, and within the Shrewsbury area the policy directions document has identified land within the existing town boundary, and greenfield sites on the edge of the town to meet this target.

“In particular the document puts forward land in the Hereford Road/Oteley Road area, and off Welshpool Road as possible areas for new development. However, no decisions have yet been made.”

Mrs Lloyd said: “Shrewsbury Civic Society remains concerned over the use of any more greenfield sites when there are quite a lot of brownfield sites already available around the town.”