‘Historic milestone for the town’: Much Wenlock’s town plan gets formal approval

Shropshire councillors have backed a medieval town’s neighbourhood plan, which followed a referendum earlier this year.

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Much Wenlock created the first neighbourhood plan in Shropshire back in 2013.

Now a newly refreshed plan has been given approval by Shropshire Council, following a vote yesterday (May 14).

The adoption of the Much Wenlock plan, which provides a framework for local development in the town through to the next decade, follows a referendum in which 90 per cent of the town backed it.

The town’s outgoing mayor and Shropshire councillor, Dan Thomas, who has spearheaded the new plan, welcomed the vote by fellow councillors at the Guildhall.

He said: “Today’s council vote marks a historic milestone for the town, which created the first ever neighbourhood plan in Shropshire back in 2013. This newly refreshed plan will replace the previous version and provide a robust framework for local development through to the next decade.

“The neighbourhood plan review was a multi-year project led by a steering group of local residents and town councillors. The goal was to strike a delicate balance: preserving Much Wenlock’s unique heritage while ensuring it remains a vibrant, functional town for the 21st century.”

He said the plan addressed key local issues, including ensuring the protection of its unique character, ensuring new housing and infrastructure is sustainable and meeting the needs of the community.

He added that the plan was also designed to be "viable and achievable" within the broader Shropshire local plan.

“This wasn't just a document written in a council office, it was forged through listening to residents, landowners, and local organisations. Whether their family has been here for generations or you moved here last year, their voice helped build this roadmap,” he said.