MP urges planning inspector to reject appeal over plan for 800 homes on Shropshire green belt

An MP has urged a planning inspector to reject an appeal over plans for 800 homes on Shropshire green belt land.

Mark Pritchard, Conservative MP for The Wrekin, made the comments at the second session of a hearing into plans for land off Patshull Lane in Albrighton.

Boningale Developments wants to build a major new housing estate on the site plus a care home, school and local centre.

The proposal was rejected by Shropshire Council last December but the firm appealed to the Planning Inspectorate, asking for the matter to be heard before an inquiry.

The inquiry opened at Shrewsbury’s Guildhall on Tuesday (September 15). The first session heard pleas from a host of Albrighton residents, asking the inspector to reject the appeal.

A second evening session included a statement from Mr Pritchard, who has been a vocal opponent of the scheme.

In it he detailed the factors he said would justify rejecting the appeal including its location in the green belt, its lack of inclusion in Shropshire Council’s local plan and the prospect of creating a new “independent community” that is “physically separate” from Albrighton’s centre.

He said: “I am completely opposed to the Boningale Developments plan to develop the appeal site - not because I am against housing but because I am against housing in the wrong location, at the wrong scale.

“The site falls outside of the Albrighton settlement boundary and lies entirely within the green belt. The land is not allocated in the current or emerging Local Plan.”

Describing the scheme as “unsustainable”, Mr Pritchard said: “The Local Development Plan provides for proportionate housing growth integrated within the existing settlement of Albrighton. It does not envisage the creation of a new, independent community with its own local centre, which is physically separate from the centre of Albrighton.

“The development would result in an extended and incongruous spur of development jutting out into the green belt which would not be bordered on its southern, eastern or western sides by existing housing.

“The Labour Government’s new National Planning Policy Framework requires significant development to be focused on locations which are, or can be made, sustainable by limiting the need to travel - and offering a genuine choice of different transport modes. It is clear the appeal site does not meet that important sustainability test.

“There are no existing facilities within the recognised 800m walking distance from the centre of the development site and the promised new local centre is not guaranteed at all.

“There is no cycle infrastructure connecting the appeal site to the centre of Albrighton and no evidence has been presented that current or projected traffic conditions would support realistic, safe cycling routes. Further, local roads are narrow and cycling lanes are just not viable.

“Existing bus stops are not within reasonable walking distance, bus services are very limited in frequency and operating hours - and even if a new bus service were to be temporarily secured through a Section 106 agreement, the lack of safe accessibility to local bus stops still applies.

“Further, the local railway station is also beyond what is considered reasonable walking distance from the appeal site. It is well beyond sustainable transport scope.”

He added: “Invariably, new residents of a new development would rely heavily on their cars to make short journeys – something clearly reflected in existing travel patterns in the area.

“The appeal site is not, and under Boningale Developments’ proposals cannot be made, sustainable in transport terms. It is unsustainable. It is an environmental own goal.”

The inquiry continues.