No new housing sites to be added to Shropshire's local development plan

The response will be considered by the authority's cabinet next Wednesday, and if approved will be sent to the inspectors for consideration.

The document says that the council will not be adding any new housing or development sites to its plans – already made up of 30,800 homes up to 2038, including a contribution of 1,500 for councils in the Black Country, which are struggling to find their own space for development.

The paper prepared for the cabinet says that "new information" providing a "reasoned and justified response" has been prepared on a number of "key points".

The paper, from Mark Barrow, the council's executive director for place, states: "Importantly, the new material provides a justification for why it is felt the council does not need to amend its previously agreed housing and employment land requirements, and therefore that we do not believe it necessary to identify any additional site allocations for development."

In a letter earlier this year the three planning inspectors had questioned whether the council needed to add more sites to meet its contribution to the Black Country.

It also said that the contribution of 1,500 homes for the Black Country should be specifically allocated, with the council detailing which developments would be making the contribution.

If the council considered adding fresh sites it could have opened the door for the inclusion of a controversial proposal from the Bradford Estates to develop around 3,000 homes and a major employment site on Green Belt land north of Junction 3 of the M54 and west of the village of Tong.

But the council has said it is satisfied with its proposal – and has also set out specific developments which will cover the Black Country needs.

The report states: "Following the careful consideration of the conclusions of the new sustainability appraisal, alongside a number of other material considerations, it is considered the Local Plan’s housing requirement should be maintained at 30,800 dwellings over the plan period (2016-2038). It is considered this continues to represent the most sustainable option for the county."

The council says that three developments will cover the housing requirements from the Black Country.

They include 600 homes out of 1,050 proposed in the Tasley Garden Village at Bridgnorth, 600 homes from the 1,000 at the former Ironbridge Power Station, and 300 from the 1,500 planned for land between Mytton Oak Road and Hanwood Road in Shrewsbury.

The contribution of 30 hectares of employment land for the Black Country will come as part of 39 hectares planned for land to the east of Shifnal Industrial Estate, on Upton Lane.

The paper states: "These four sites have been identified as being appropriate to make a specific contribution to the Black Country’s forecast unmet needs, primary due to their close geographical relationship and functional linkages, including via a direct train service in the case of Shifnal and Shrewsbury."

Richard Marshall, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for highways and regulatory services, said that if the review proceeds as planned, then the overall plan could be approved next year.

He said: "Subject to Cabinet approval, the proposed response will be submitted to the Planning Inspectors.

“If approved, Planning Inspectors may recommend a further public consultation exercise, and Cabinet will be asked to approve this provisional public consultation, in the possibility we receive this recommendation.

“The next stage of the process includes a second stage of hearings, followed by the Inspector’s Report likely to be issued in Spring 2024.

“Subject to the examination process progressing at its current pace, its likely the Local Plan will seek Full Council adoption in June 2024.”