Shropshire Star

Anger at 15,000 Shropshire homes backlog

Developers have yet to start work on thousands of new homes across Shropshire – despite being granted planning permission, figures obtained today reveal.

Published

More than 15,000 homes across the county have permission to be built but work has yet to start.

It has led to accusations that speculative developers are taking advantage of a current situation in which it is easier to receive planning permission.

They are then leaving the land unused, with no intention of starting building work in the near future, it is claimed.

In Telford & Wrekin there are almost 10,000 homes that have been approved but have not yet been built, while in Shropshire that number was 5,170 as of September, not taking into account planning applications approved before that time.

Once planning permission is given, developers can wait for up to five years to start work.

It means a number of sites in the county with planning permission given for homes are simply left lying idle.

Councillors have called the problem "morally wrong" as they fight to sort out their housing strategy for the county under the Government's National Planning Policy Framework.

Both Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council are below the requirements for their 'land bank', meaning that they are required to find more space for new housing developments.

It means that any development they reject can go for appeal to the secretary of state, who has the right to overturn the ruling.The situation has led to complaints from leaders in towns and villages that they are helpless in objecting to controversial developments.

  • Star comment: We have no say on our future

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.