Plans for a green belt development have received strong opposition due to residents’ concerns it would remove “productive farmland”
Plans for an 800-home development on 52 hectares of green belt land in Shropshire have received 1,117 objections as the consultation period comes to a close.
If approved, the plan brought forward by Wolverhampton-based housebuilder Boningale Homes, would deliver 800 homes, a care home of up to 80 units, a secondary school and local centre with infrastructure, landscaping and drainage in Albrighton village, East Shropshire.
The objections raised include concerns about increased traffic, road closures, and added strain on already overburdened medical and transport infrastructure, as well as a potential negative impact on the high street.
In addition, critics highlighted the ecological harm the development could cause, arguing that it would remove 52 hectares of “productive farmland” and green belt land.
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Charlie Blakemore, co-chair of the local residents’ group, Albrighton Village Action Group (AVAG), said: “More than 1,100 residents have taken time to lodge their objections on the Shropshire Council planning portal, which clearly shows the level of deep feeling in the community that the location, and scale of this speculative proposal, is just not right.
He also noted: “This is genuine lived-in knowledge that the village’s roads, infrastructure and amenities would simply not cope with this scale of unplanned overdevelopment.”
In its outline planning application submitted to Shropshire Council in May, Boningale Homes said “our vision for the site is for the development of up to 800 high quality homes that can fulfil the local and part of the wider regional need for market whilst respecting the character of the surrounding area.”
The housebuilder added that the scheme will deliver new green spaces and create a clear boundary to protect the surrounding Green Belt land.
Despite opposing Boningale Homes’ proposed development, Claire Lakin, a founding member of AVAG, said: “We’ve long stressed that we’re not against new housing in the village and have been a strong supporter of the Local Plan that has put aside land to support the construction of 771 properties.”
A spokesperson for Boningale Homes said: “We thank everyone who has taken the time to comment on our plans for new homes in Albrighton.
The spokesperson added: “We carried out an extensive public consultation process prior to submitting our planning application and are aware of concerns. However, we are confident this is a very positive scheme for Albrighton which delivers key facilities as well as new homes.
They said that the proposal is “an important step towards meeting the need for good quality housing across Shropshire and the Black Country.”
They added that benefits to the local community will include “a care home, minor injuries unit, a pharmacy and GP surgery, a secondary school for up to 750 pupils and a supermarket. We look forward to the application being discussed by Shropshire Council.”
The government plans to increase development on “low quality” green belt land, termed “grey belt”, as part of its ambition to build 1.5 million homes.
Barratt last week revealed it has pulled four planning applications due to the government’s proposed ‘golden rule’ stating 50% of homes built on grey belt land should be for affordable tenures.
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