Blueprint for 100 home development in north Shropshire outlined to all

A public meeting held in Prees, near Whitchurch, last night gave people the chance to have their say on Shropshire Council's countywide vision of how the area will develop by 2026.

The blueprint, known as SAMDev, is out for public consultation and aims to bring 16,000 extra homes and new employment land to Shropshire.

Exactly 100 homes are earmarked to be built in Prees and Higher Heath in the "Prees cluster".

Sixty of the homes are proposed adjacent to Shrewsbury Road and Moreton Street in Prees with the quota for the other 40 expected to come from smaller applications in both villages.

At the meeting last night residents were given their say as to whether Prees Green, Lower Heath, Fauls and Sandford should be added to the "cluster" to incorporate the 100 homes.

The suggestion had previously been refused by Prees Parish Council after the majority of people in the four villages asked not to be included.

Residents were also asked if Station Road, in Prees, would be a suitable site to build 13 homes if the Moreton Road development failed to get planning consent.

Shaun Bond, who lives off Station Road, said: "I think the other areas should form part of the cluster and I think they have made a mistake not being included. I do not think they can see the longer term of it. By 2026 if they do not have any development the community will dwindle. They need to move forward or they will be left behind."

Karen Good, from Prees Green, said: "I have lived in my home for 20 years and the reason I have stayed is because I want to live in the open countryside."

Following the public consultation members of Prees Parish Council unanimously voted not to extend the "Prees Cluster" and stated their belief that Station Road is not a suitable site for development after hearing of safety concerns.