Ministers accused of Shropshire homes plan bullying
A Conservative county planning chief has launched a scathing attack on the Government's approach to development, saying people's views are being ignored as councils are bullied into granting permission for new homes.
Councillor Stuart West, vice-chairman of Shropshire Council's south planning committee, was speaking as controversial plans for 200 homes outside Shifnal's development boundary were approved.
The plans for Coppice Green Lane form part of a number of schemes which could see 1,600 homes built in Shifnal by 2026, potentially increasing the town's population by 63 per cent – or more than 4,000 people.
The applications have provoked wide-spread opposition from residents and the town council.
And at yesterday's planning committee meeting, members admitted they had "reservations" about the Coppice Green plans, which have been put forward by Wallace Land Investment & Management.
But Councillor David Turner said councillors' views were outweighed by the Government's National Planning Policy Framework. According to the policy Shropshire Council does not have enough development land for the next five years. As a result it can only reject a scheme if it can be proved that it will damage the local environment.
Rejected applications automatically go for appeal to Eric Pickles, Communities and Local Government Secretary, taking the decision out of the hands of councillors.
Councillor West, who represents Shifnal South and Cosford on Shropshire Council, was acting as committee chairman yesterday in the absence of Councillor David Evans, and excused himself from the vote. But before he left the room at Shirehall, he said: "I am not totally against development in Shifnal but I am against the degree and the amount for Shifnal."
He added:?"The Localism Act has gone through Parliament to give local people the right to vote and help to shape their communities. This is being overruled by Eric Pickles, by the lack of five year land supply, and in my mind that is illegal.
"We do not need 63 per cent more homes in Shifnal, we cannot cope. I am asking the committee seriously to say they will not be bullied and to challenge the Government."
The Coppice Lane plans were approved.
