Council rejects plan to earmark land for Shifnal homes
Councillors in Shifnal have refused to support the earmarking of land on the edge of the town for future housing development.
Shifnal town councillors were given an advanced look at plans to identify land on Lodge Hill for future housing developments.
But at last night's full council meeting the councillors agreed that it should remain as green belt land.
Following a meeting earlier in the week of the Shifnal and Sheriffhales Local Joint Committee, councillors said that the proposals had caused more concern to residents than any other.
At last night's meeting the mayor Councillor Mark Mountford said: "The developer wants to outline that they are not seeking planning permission on this land, but hope to safeguard it for future development.
"This is prime green belt land, which borders over 100 homes. I do feel for residents, as this will impact them. It is my view that we shouldn't support this development now or at any time in the future." Several other council members echoed Mr Mountford's sentiments.
Councillor Graham Weaver said: "I don't agree with it, Shifnal is supposed to be a market town, we are not here to create a city.
"There are enough houses going up in this town, let's concentrate on them."
Councillors have also agreed to re-evaluate the town's SamDEV preferred options draft which outlines intentions for 1,600 homes to be built, saying the increase in population it would create would be too much for Shifnal to handle.
While public consultation on the preferred options ends on August 23, the council has been given extra time to draft a considered response to the report.
