Shropshire house prices double in a decade
House prices in Shropshire have nearly doubled in the last 10 years, new figures revealed today – as fears were expressed the trend is forcing young people out of the county.
Statistics released today by the National Housing Federation reveal the average house price in Shropshire in 2001 was £105,987. That had rocketed to £203,887 by 2011 according to the latest figures from the NHF.
In Telford & Wrekin, the average house price in 2001 was £79,035, which increased to £152,874 in 2011 – an increase of 93 per cent.
The survey also revealed there were one per cent fewer people under the age of 45 in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin in 2011 compared to 2001.
Elizabeth Humphreys, West Midlands lead manager for the NHF, said: "Young people are being priced out by rising housing costs and are moving elsewhere to raise their families.
Star comment: We need to keep young people in Shropshire
"What will happen to the local shops and pubs, the village school, the small businesses that maintain rural economies, if there's no-one left to keep them open?
"If we don't start building more homes that ordinary families can afford, our treasured countryside will become the preserve of the old and wealthy.
"It's up to all of us to halt this rural decline."
Nick Heard, from the Three Parishes Big Lottery group which covers St Martins, Gobowen and Weston Rhyn, said a recent survey of the area flagged up a real lack of affordable housing, particularly for young people.
He said that losing young people in the villages would have a knock on effect on the number of children in the three village schools.
The mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Jon Tandy, said: "What concerns me is people who work very hard to try and get a house.
"But the chances of a young person getting on the housing ladder is getting smaller by the day."
He said he was concerned rising house prices would exacerbate the number of young people either moving out of the Shrewsbury area or not returning after completing their education outside Shropshire.
Russell Griffin, a spokesman for Telford & Wrekin council, said: "Whilst much of the borough is urban, more than 15,000 people live in Telford & Wrekin's rural areas.
"We recognise affordability is a problem across the area and is particularly acute in rural areas.
"The council has prioritised the provision of more affordable homes in rural areas as part of it's local investment plan.
"The council is not a direct housing provider but we do work closely with parish councils, housing associations, private developers and the homes and communities agency to provide affordable homes for rent and low cost ownership."
Roger Hughes, Shropshire councillor for Market Drayton, said: "If people work and live in the same area it is a huge benefit, it is more sustainable. It is a matter of providing sufficient affordable accommodation for younger people in the villages."
