Warning over Church Stretton housing plans

Too many homes in one of Shropshire's most picturesque market towns could spoil its tourism industry, civic leaders have claimed.

Members of the Strettons Civic Society claim plans to build more than 200 homes in Church Stretton by 2026 would also affect the character of the area - especially as it is the only town in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The group has made the claims in response to Shropshire Council's site allocations and management of development plan.

Under the proposals between 200 and 500 homes could be built in the town.

John Sumner, chairman of the Strettons Civic Society, said: "Church Stretton, as the only town in the Shropshire Hills AONB with its fragile infrastructure, should not be expected to accommodate any more homes than those in the pipeline.

Character

"It must be allowed to retain its character and limit the negative impacts of development. Over-development of the town would have a serious negative impact on tourism, the town's key industry.

"All development proposals for this town, set within a nationally protected hill landscape, must be considered in the light of constraints that are imposed by this setting."

Residents and interested organisations have until June 25 to make their views known as part of a consultation period.

More than 160 people turned out at a recent public meeting in the town organised by the civic society to discuss the housing plans.

Other south Shropshire market towns including Craven Arms, Bishop's Castle and Cleobury Mortimer, have been earmarked for between 200 and 500 homes while Ludlow could see between 500 and 1,000 homes built.

By Peter Kitchen and Sophie Bignall