Shropshire Star

Survey puts future of Shifnal in spotlight

A plan has been presented to Shropshire Council to preserve the future of a county market town.

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Shifnal Town Council has put together a Neighbourhood Plan for the town – after consultation with residents. Town mayor Robert Harrop has now handed over the plan to Malcolm Pate, leader of Shropshire Council.

He said: "The proposals have been shared with the community as they have been developed, and the feedback had been constructive and positive.

"The plan tells the story of Shifnal very well, and it is a plan that the town can be proud of."

He praised the four community members of the steering group for their hard work over the last 15 months arranging the consultation events, developing the plan proposals, setting up the website, and many other jobs they had done in that time as part of the process.

Councillor Pate said: "Shifnal's Neighbourhood Plan will help to preserve its unique character, and allow an appropriate and well-managed level of growth to ensure its ongoing sustainability as a vibrant and attractive market town

Mal Price, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for planning, housing, regulatory services and environment, added: "Neighbourhood planning enables local communities to choose where they want new homes, shops and offices to be built, and have their say on what those new buildings should look like.

"Shifnal's Neighbourhood Plan enables its community to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood, and deliver the sustainable development they need through planning policies relating to the development and use of land."

Shropshire Council must now publicise the plan for a period of six weeks and then arrange for a referendum of the electorate in the parish of Shifnal.

If more than 50 per cent of those voting in the referendum vote 'yes' in support of the plan, then Shropshire Council will bring it into force.

The Neighbourhood Plan and associated documents can be seen on the Shifnal Neighbourhood Plan website at www.shifnalplan.co.uk

Shifnal Town Council approved the plan, which runs until 2026, at their meeting on December 17 2015.

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