Development opportunity for employment land in Shropshire

Yes, says Amy Henson, planning consultant with Berrys at Shrewsbury. Shropshire Council is currently consulting on the preferred scale and distribution of housing and employment land in the county and is looking for an additional 156 hectares of employment land across Shropshire.

So if you’ve got land or a redundant farmstead in a village, edge of a settlement or rural area, you should consider submitting it to the council to consider for employment development.

This is a massive opportunity for farmers and landowners in the county to maximise property values and we can assist them in selecting the best sites to put forward that will most likely meet the council’s requirements.

Shropshire Council’s local plan review states that Shropshire needs a robust development strategy to achieve its economic aspirations to provide employment to encourage working age people to settle in the county.

The preferred employment land requirement for Shropshire from 2016 to 2036 is for the development of around 300 hectares of employment development. Some of this land supply is already committed but a total of 156ha new land will be required for the county to meet its economic growth objectives.

The suggested locations for employment development are: Shrewsbury – 50ha; Bridgnorth – 4ha; Ludlow – 4ha; Albrighton – 5ha; Broseley – 2ha; Church Stretton – 2ha; Cleobury Mortimer – 1ha; Highley – 1ha; Much Wenlock – 0.5ha; Shifnal – 14ha; Wem – 2ha;Rural Locations (everywhere else) – 71ha

Suitable sites for employment development might be on the edge of a village or conurbation with access to public transport and a good road network with links to arterial routes.

Communication is another consideration so close proximity to high speed broadband will be an advantage. Also, it might be beneficial if the site is adjacent to existing employment land.

There may also be a chance to revisit a site that has previously been unsuccessful for development.

For further advice contact Amy Henson at the Shrewsbury office of Berrys on 01743 239025 or email amy.henson@berrys.uk.com