Call to slash number of new houses in Shifnal
Plans to build hundreds of new homes in Shifnal could place too much strain on its infrastructure, it has been claimed.
Following an extraordinary meeting of Shifnal Town Council, members will now write to Shropshire Council urging it to reduce the number of proposed developments.
The meeting held in the town council's offices in Mansion House last night, was called to discuss to the town's current SamDev draft which would increase its population by 60 per cent by 2026.
The figure includes 400 homes which have already been built in the town, primarily by Taylor Wimpey on land next to the A464, which leads from the town to Wolverhampton.
A further 400 will be built on land off Haughton Road, as part of a development which has already been approved by Shropshire Council.
In early August town councillors delivered a Shropshire Council questionnaire to homes which showed 91.7 per cent of responders were against the level of development
Councillor Mark Mountford, mayor of Shifnal, said: "It is evident tonight that we have taken into account the public opinion."
Town councillors decided not to back land at Lamledge Lane, a key industrial point in the town, being included within the development boundaries, and unanimously supported safeguarding five hectares of the area for future business development.
Councillor John Horne said: "We need to look at what we can do to bring back industry into Shifnal
"Around Lamledge Lane, that's what we want, no residential development."
The meeting also supported removing land between Idsall School and Coppice Green Lane from areas safeguarded for future development, as well as voting against plans which would allocate neighbouring land for a development of 200 homes.
Many members agreed development would put extra strain on busy junctions in the town, like Aston Street which already suffers with high traffic.
Councillor Mountford said: "This site is right on the fringe of the town and could encourage development creep.
"Because it is so far out, it would add exponentially to the problems at Aston Street."
The meeting voted against increasing land south of the Railway Line by 260 homes and the allocation of land at the Uplands, close to Park Lane for a potential 250 homes.
Councillor Lee Hubbard said: "I can say being resident in this area, I think it is one of the more viable but Park Lane and the Wolverhampton Road area are already dangerous due to traffic.
"The hills and building at the top of this area make Shifnal unique and I cannot support it."
Following the vote, members agreed not to approve any developments which were solely residential, as well as planning to bring in representatives to discuss ways to improve key facilities such as the medical centre for existing residents.
The town council's response will now be put to Shropshire Council to be put towards the Final Plan Publication Document, at which point there will be further consultation with the public.
