Shrewsbury homes masterplan is given Shropshire Counci cabinet backing
Councillors have backed controversial plans to build hundreds of new homes in western Shrewsbury by 2026.
Shropshire Council's cabinet backed the masterplan at a meeting at Shirehall yesterday. It paves the way for the development of about 750 homes, up to 12 hectares of land for employment and a new Oxon Link Road between the A5 Bypass and the Holyhead Road.
The draft masterplan, drawn up for the Shrewsbury West Sustainable Urban Extension, which is intended to be used as guidance for developers, will go to a meeting of full council on November 21 for adoption.
It comes despite more than three-quarters of people who took part in a public consultation during July and September stating they were not in favour of the plans.
Of the 154 people who answered, 119 said they did not agree with the development objectives.
Concerns were raised at yesterday's meeting by the Shrewsbury West Residents' Association.
A written statement from David Kilby, a spokesman for the group, said they believed there should be a greater emphasis on the masterplan "being a community-led plan'.
Councillor Mal Price, portfolio holder for planning, housing and commissioning, said Mr Kilby had raised some valid points and said the council would offer support to the group in drawing up a neighbourhood plan.
He said it was important the masterplan was adopted to help guide future development.
"We understand the concerns," he said. "However, the council has a difficult job of working out how to accommodate the essential growth of the town to provide the housing, employment and infrastructure needed."
"There are no easy answers and I accept that. Not moving forward with the development is not an option and having a masterplan in place is the best way forward."
Last month, members of the Shrewsbury West Residents Association asked Shropshire Council for a consultation on the plans to be extended to 16 weeks after collecting a petition of more than 1,000 signatures.
But councillors refused the request, stating that the original consultation period had already been extended by a further five weeks.
Councillor Price said the decision was made on the understanding the council would continue to work with people who wanted to raise issues about the plan.
