‘The countryside is going to be bulldozed!’ MP vows to fight for village’s green belt during 800-home appeal
Shropshire Council rejected Boningale Homes’s plan in December.
An MP has vowed to fight an appeal by a housing developer that wants to build 800 homes on Shropshire green belt, when it goes before a planning inspector later in the year.
In December, Shropshire Council threw out an application by Boningale Homes for the housing project in Albrighton.
The developer wants to erect 800 new homes on green belt land in the village, arguing it is necessary for local housing needs, economic growth, and sustainability.
The move has led to the formation of a campaign group, Albrighton Development Action Group (ADAG), which is meeting later this week to discuss the appeal, but it has won support from local MP Mark Pritchard, who said he will argue the case against the “unacceptable and disproportionate development” at the planning inquiry late this year.
In a message to Albrighton constituents, the MP for The Wrekin said the appeal was set for September.
He said: “I have spoken with the leader of Shropshire Council and again made the case for defending Albrighton’s greenbelt.
“As you know, the planning application was refused by Shropshire Council thanks to local councillor Nigel Lumby and to residents in Albrighton who made the case to protect Albrighton’s greenbelt.
“The appeal will be held in September and I will making a strong case with local people that greenbelt needs to be protected in Albrighton.
“I told the leader of Shropshire this is a test case, not just for Albrighton, but greenbelt throughout the Shropshire council area, including areas such as Shifnal and other places.
“I will continue to support local residents in here in Albrighton about inappropriate and disproportionate development.
“It is not acceptable that the greenbelt and open countryside is going to be bulldozed.
“I made the case in the House of Commons that Labour needed to think again about trying to redefine greenbelt into grey belt and to stop bulldozing over English countryside.”
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