New housing bid in Bridgnorth 'raises questions' over plans to build hundreds of homes on green belt
A group campaigning against plans to build hundreds of homes on land near Bridgnorth says the emergence of a rival development raises serious questions over the project.
Save Bridgnorth Greenbelt, which is opposed to Shropshire Council plans for a garden village on Stanmore in Bridgnorth, says a recent rival submission from Taylor Wimpey focused on land at Tasley demonstrates there is not an “exceptional circumstances” case needed to allow the project to go ahead.
The group has also questioned the basis for such a level of development in the Bridgnorth area.
It comes as Bridgnorth Town Council meets tonight to decide if it backs one of the controversial options over the other.
The ultimate decision on whether one goes ahead will be taken by Shropshire Council next month.
Mike Kendrick, who together with local businessman Henry Carver, mounted a legal challenged to the Stanmore Greenbelt proposals, said, “We are now in the absurd situation where two blameless rural parishes, outside Bridgnorth town’s boundary, are landed with the consequences of Bridgnorth Town Council’s grandiose ‘growth ambitions’, in support of Shropshire Council’s aspirational high growth policies."
Mr Carver added: “We have always considered Shropshire Council’s plans for nearly 2,000 houses over 20 years as excessive and unsustainable, particularly in employment terms, and they are not supported by local people. Whilst of course we want to protect the greenbelt, Shropshire Council do need to address those evidential failures."
Mike added: "This is a time for transparency; they must make public their reasons for any site preference, and in what ways their choice fits with specific NPPF policies, particularly on sustainability. They are obliged to explain how any potential greenbelt development meets the significant ‘exceptional circumstances’ test, and what the likely impacts of each proposal will be."
