Major National Trust plan at Shropshire beauty spot rejected amid neighbour fears
Neighbours raised concerns over noise, privacy and the lack of information
A proposal by the National Trust to transform a home in Carding Mill Valley into an indoor learning hub for school and community groups has been refused by Shropshire Council.
In June, the National Trust revealed plans to use Long Mynd House - currently a residential property near the trust’s visitor centre - to host some of the 45,000 children and young people that visit Carding Mill Valley on educative trips each year.
The home is adjoined to a former factory, which was previously used to manufacture ginger beer and soda water, but is today a block of apartments.
The organisation said that residential properties around the visitor centre currently experience “noise and traffic disruption” as a result of visitors to the site, including school groups.
They argued that insufficient indoor space led to visitors congregating in the path and track to the front of the buildings, and the proposed hub would provide extra space and reduce the impact on residents.
It was proposed the new hub would be used by groups of no more than 50 people at a time between 10am and 3pm on weekdays and “occasional use” on weekends by community groups.
But the plans were not wholeheartedly welcomed by locals, with several lodging official objections during the public consultation.
Among those objections were Church Stretton Town Council, who raised concerns over the suitability of the Carding Mill Valley home and a lack of information in the application.
Residents of the adjoining flats raised concerns about privacy, noise, loss of amenity, and the removal of a long‑standing dwelling.
One wrote: “The rear garden is the sole private outdoor space… It is well shielded from the considerable visitor noise of the valley and is not overlooked by any public space.”
Refusing the scheme, Shropshire Council said the development could provide a contribution to the local community, rural economy and Shropshire’s reputation as a tourist destination.
However, planning officers said “insufficient information” had been provided to establish whether or not the development would cause “insurmountable harm” to neighbours' living conditions or be an over-intensification of the site.
The National Trust will have 12 weeks to appeal the decision.
The full application and decision notice are available to view on Shropshire Council’s planning portal using reference number: 26/02326/FUL
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