Fears for future of Ludlow's historic buildings

Ludlow's most historic buildings could be put at risk by Shropshire Council's move to axe a conservation committee, campaigners claimed today.

Shropshire Council plans to scrap the Ludlow Conservation Area Advisory Committee in January 2012 and replace it with a new broader liaison group.

But Simon Buteux, chairman of Ludlow Civic Society, has written to the council detailing "deep concerns" about the decision of area planning manager Stuart Thomas, which is designed to offer a wider range of groups an influence in the planning process.

Mr Buteux wrote: "As far as I can establish, there has been no consultation on this matter, it is simply being imposed on Ludlow."

"The new arrangement that Mr Thomas is imposing on Ludlow is based on the Shrewsbury Planning Liaison Group, but Ludlow is not Shrewsbury and what works for Shrewsbury may not work in Ludlow.

"Much of the historic fabric of Shrewsbury has been destroyed by development."

But Mr Thomas said he was confident the new group would be a success and allow residents, professionals, community leaders and former members of the Ludlow Conservation Area Advisory Committee a say in decisions.

He said: "The new community stakeholder group will replace the two existing planning groups. Development management is a time sensitive process with a high degree of customer interaction and a broad range of stakeholder interests.

"We have undergone extensive consultations."