Shropshire Star

We must build enough homes for the next generation

Winners and losers in Shropshire’s Local Plan Review

Published
Helen Howie, planning consultant at Berrys

By Helen Howie, planning consultant at Berrys

Big changes are coming for development across Shropshire.

Proposals published by Shropshire Council as part of its review of its Local Plan show some towns and villages will get more development in the next 20-year period than previously, while others will get less.

Shrewsbury is in line to have its housing guideline figure increase from 6,500 new homes over 20 years to 8,625 new homes over 20 years. Other places seeing an increase include Ludlow, up from 875 homes to 1,000 homes, and Whitchurch, which sees an increase from 1,200 homes to 1,600 homes.

Wem’s figures are set to increase from 500 to 600 homes.

The east of the county will see more growth, with a doubling of the housing guideline figure in Albrighton from 250 to 500 homes, while Shifnal’s figures increase from 1,250 to 1,500 homes. Broseley, Bridgnorth and Highley all see smaller increases in their figures.

Some towns see a significant decrease in planned growth. Oswestry has the biggest reduction, decreasing from 2,600 to 1,800 homes over the 20-year plan. Church Stretton reduces from 370 to 250 homes while Cleobury Mortimer reduces from 350 to 200 homes.

We welcome the re-introduction of larger villages back into the plan. Hadnall, Ford, Westbury, Cressage, Alverley, Clive, Morda, Trefonen and West Felton are back in as villages in which development would be appropriate.

The new Local Plan will cover the 20 years from 2016 to 2036, replacing the current SAMDev Plan that covered the period 2006 to 2026.

Market demand for housing remains high in Shropshire. We have not been building enough houses for decades and so prices have risen with the average cost of housing in Shropshire now 7.67 times average wages.

It is essential that we now build enough to enable future generations to have the same chance of having a home as their parents.

These changes are out for consultation until December 22.

We look forward to seeing the final plan in 2018.

If you are interested in knowing more about the opportunities presented by the Local Plan, please contact me at Berrys on 01743 239028 or email helen.howie@berrys.uk.com.

Helen Howie, planning consultant at Berrys