Landowner behind bid for 3000 homes on county green belt reacts to shock cancellation of local plan hearings

It was confirmed that planning inspectors examining Shropshire Council's local plan had abruptly cancelled scheduled hearings on the proposals at the end of October. 

In a letter explaining the move they said the decision had been taken over 'serious soundness concerns' about the plan.

Hearings into the plan only resumed last month. However, planning inspectors Louise Crosby and Elaine Worthington were so concerned about the state of Shropshire's of the proposal that they have stopped proceedings entirely.

They have given no timescale for a resumption in the process, saying only that they aim to set their concerns out in detail "as soon as possible".

One of the contentious issues being considered as part of the plan is Shropshire Council's adherence with 'duty to co-operate' rules - where councils have to provide space for neighbouring councils to build homes.

One proposal which was rejected by Shropshire Council and not included in its plan, was from the Bradford Estates, for land north of Junction 3 of the M54, and west of the village of Tong.

The Bradford Estates want to build around 2,900 homes on green belt land in the area, along with a major business development, which includes proposals for a 'Midlands Tech Park' and a Science and Innovation Campus.

Representatives of the Bradford Estates have challenged the council over the decision, and previously threatened to request a judicial review of the move. They have also given evidence as part of the local plan examinations.

Responding to the unexpected halt to proceedings a spokesman for the Bradford Estates said they were committed to their plans, and working with both the council and the inspectors to overcome the issues behind the postponement.

He said: "We are committed to working with Shropshire Council to address and rectify the serious concerns raised by the Inspectors. 

"We remain of the view that our settlement proposal, Weston, on Junction 3 of the M54, is a unique opportunity to deliver an exemplar mixed-use scheme, at scale and pace, and should be allocated as a strategic site in the draft plan to solve for the present issues identified through its examination.

"Including Weston would secure a legally compliant plan, as well as deliver on Shropshire’s growth aspirations consistent with the M54 growth corridor strategy, delivering affordable homes, new safeguarded public parks and creating approximately 10,000 jobs on land in a highly sustainable location that has already been consulted on."