Land should be left for farming, says MP

Mr Pritchard met with Edward Lister and Minister for Housing Jake Berry to discuss the land north and east of the Shawbirch roundabout.

The potential use of land already designated for development was discussed after controversial plans to build an industrial estate on the site were thrown out.

Mr Pritchard, chairman of Homes England, Edward Lister, and Minister for Housing, Jake Berry discussed ideas for land north and east of the Shawbirch roundabout.

Plans for the industrial estate were pulled by Telford & Wrekin Council following an outcry from residents and councillors.

More than 1,000 people objected the proposal, which would have seen a building more than 130ft tall and covering 80,000 square metres of built on the site.

The land is designated for development and Mr Pritchard spoke to Mr Lister about the potential for retaining it as farmland.

“The site is completely unacceptable for industrial and employment use,” Mr Pritchard said. “Whilst proportionate housing might be only marginally better, given increasing local congestion and the amount of housing already built in the borough, I made a strong case the land would be far better kept as farmland.”

Joining Mr Pritchard was Councillor Eric Carter and Conservative leader Andrew Eade, who said: “Following our joint discussions, it is now the clear intention of a future Conservative administration in Telford to remove the 50 hectare Homes England site from the council’s Local Plan altogether and scrap its planning status to ensure that it remains free of threat until at least 2031 and beyond.”

Councillor Carter, who represents Newport on Telford & Wrekin Council, joined the meeting to discuss the potential for a high street funding bid in Newport, which he says could be used to renovate some of the older buildings.

“A lot of people want to see Newport’s High Street renovated. I asked to be part of the meeting to see this bid recognised.”