487 homes plan: Telford councillors reject Newport land switch move

The land, between the A518 and Springfield Industrial Estate, is currently in the boundaries of Chetwynd Aston and Woodcote parish. There is planning permission for 487 new homes on it.

But a report had recommended it to be incorporated into Newport Town Council, because the potential new residents were more likely to use that town’s facilities.

However, they would also have to pay the area’s higher council tax.

This week, Telford & Wrekin councillors said the change, which would bring £82-a-year council tax rise, was being imposed on residents.

One member of Telford and Wrekin Council’s Boundary Review Committee said the larger absorbing council was just after the extra money and another described it as a “land grab”, comparing it to Vladimir Putin’s Crimea occupation.

Councillors defied the recommendation of Telford & Wrekin Council officers and voted unanimously against the plan.

The report recommended it be incorporated into Newport Town Council, because the potential new residents were more likely to identify with that town and use its facilities rather than travel south of the A518.

Telford and Wrekin Council’s Boundary Review Committee has to approve boundary changes among the area’s town and parish councils.

Alison Coburn, who co-authored the report, told members that, although the new homes haven’t been built yet, “future residents will be looking to form strong and positive relationships in their local community.

“They might reasonably be expected to turn to Newport for those.”

Neighbours

Councillor Rob Sloan said those living in the area now hadn’t been sufficiently consulted.

He said: “I have to say, if I was one of the existing people in the area, and you moved the boundary and said we have to pay another £82 a year, I would be going round to the new neighbours and saying ‘You just cost me!’.

“I probably don’t want the houses there anyway, but I certainly don’t want to pay for the privilege.”

The Labour member, who represents Hadley and Leegomery, added: “Newport Town Council want this because they want the precept. It isn’t about community cohesion.”

Conservative Muxton councillor Nigel Dugmore said: “This is an unusual committee where we have got a cross-political consensus!

“Perhaps Newport Town Council can learn something from President Putin. He did his land grab much more forcefully.”

He added that a referendum might even have been justified.

Elections team leader Dave Bowen said the proposal had been examined by officers then referred to the committee because a petition of 700 names had been submitted by Newport Town Council, exceeding the seven percent population threshold required for a town of its size.

Chetwynd Aston and Woodcote, by comparison, would have had to get 37.5% of its 397-strong electorate to sign a similar triggering petition.

Following the no vote, the committee will need to reconvene to register formally its reasons for defying their officers’ recommendation.

By Alex Moore, local democracy reporter