Unrealistic housing bids threaten Shropshire, says rural campaign group

The branch has presented a report to Shropshire Council urging it to ensure that housing targets match actual need.

The CPRE-sponsored study – called How many houses, what kind of homes? – indicates that the county's core strategy target of 27,500 new homes by 2016 might be unnecessarily high.

It has been written by independent policy adviser Gerald Kells backing up initial work by Shropshire CPRE executive committee member Roger Carlyle.

Keith Ridland, vice chair of CPRE Shropshire, said: "CPRE Shropshire fully recognises the key imperative of building new homes in the county but higher targets do not mean faster delivery.

"Setting targets higher than can be realistically built just means that developers have more sites to choose from."

He said this meant developers then had their pick of the best sites.

"The inevitable consequence is that when unrealistic targets are not met, current national planning policy means that the council then has to identify yet more sites for housing, and even more countryside has then to be realised for more lucrative development," he said.

"Developers are then able to cherry-pick the most profitable sites, which are generally greenfield and not brownfield."

He said that the CPRE was calling for community surveys to play a far greater role in determining true need to ensure that the needed homes are built in the right places, and for available brownfield land to play a leading role in developing targets.

"Our report also urges the council to develop policies on what type of housing is needed, embracing both affordable housing needs and those of old people," said Mr Ridland.

"The council is working in-house to establish a figure for the county's objectively assessed housing need and expect to have this completed by spring next year. We will continue to monitor this process and hope the 'How many houses, what kind of homes?' report will act as a springboard for debate."

The CPRE's comments come after it was revealed housing developers could be charged by Shropshire Council for "unreasonable" planning appeals. It comes following a large rise in the number of appeals against planning decisions.

Councillor Mal Price said the authority would seek to defend its policies. He said he was confident the council's land supply was sufficient, and that if deemed so at inquiry then the authority would seek costs from those who continue to challenge it.