800-home Shropshire garden village developers want 'masterplan' for town

Nurton Developments is behind tentative plans for a major housing development on the southeastern outskirts of Shifnal.

Dubbed ‘Monument Park’ the development would be on a large section of green belt land to the north of the A464, which has not yet been allocated for housing by Shropshire Council.

But it has emerged that Berrys, the planning agent for the developers, has written to the council as part of a response to a separate neighbouring application from Catesby Estates for 200 homes to the south of Lamledge Lane.

The letter pressed the case for a “masterplan” for the area to the southeast of the town - warning that a “piecemeal” approach could “exacerbate existing problems, resulting in strained and/or a lack of services and infrastructure”.

The submission comes with Shifnal the focus of significant fresh housing proposals - with many residents concerned about the impact on local roads, or lack of expansion in schools and health services to cope with demand.

Detailing its argument the Berrys letter said the number of houses being built in the area could generate problems if an overarching plan is not developed, arguing that the new homes will lead to 700 homes using junctions onto the A464.

It stated: “It is clear that piecemeal development in this area of the town risks failing to realise opportunities that would benefit the entire town and may actually exacerbate existing problems, resulting in strained and/or a lack of services and infrastructure.

“For example, there are circa 450 dwellings served from two access points, the A464/Lloyd Grove priority junction and the A464/Stone Grove roundabout.

“This application together with the planning consent for 57 dwellings on allocated site SHF022 (the Taylor Wimpey development approved to the south east of Windmill View) results in over 700 houses utilising the existing junctions onto the A464.”

It added: “Rather than considering proposals on a piecemeal basis, it is our view that Shifnal would be better served if a holistic, strategic masterplanning approach was taken when considering development proposals in the town, thereby ensuring that existing issues are addressed and future opportunities realised.”

The letter concluded: “Considering the application in isolation, without regard to the potential development of adjacent land, would overlook a valuable opportunity to deliver meaningful benefits for the town as a whole, both now and for future generations.”

Nurton Developments’s own plans for the area are detailed on its website.

It argues the plan is a “better located alternative” to other options and would include up to 800 homes.

It stated: “Having entered into a 25-year promotion agreement with two separate landowners on green belt land on the southwest edge of the town, we are promoting the site as a better located alternative to the current option that lies to the south/southwest of the town.

“The proposed 111-acre Garden Village is being presented as a more sustainable, exemplar scheme for Shifnal as part of the local plan review.

“It will deliver large publicly accessible open spaces and up to 800 dwellings including a mix of affordable and starter homes and provision for the elderly.

“A primary school, local convenience shops, petrol station and medical/dental practice are also being proposed to support the new community.”