Campaign group set up to discuss future of Shifnal

Shifnal Matters has been established by residents with the aim of collating people’s views on the development and prosperity of the town ahead of Shropshire Council’s Preferred Sites consultation.

The group, which started through its Facebook page Shifnal Matters, says it offers a forum for fair and open debate, information sharing and discussion around key issues.

After forming to fight the recent plans by the council to remove land from the green belt and develop large residential and employment areas, the group held a meeting on December 14 with Shropshire Council and Shifnal Town Council to present the town’s local plan and hear concerns from Shifnal Matters members.

A survey has been created to gather residents’ views on the Shropshire Preferred Sites consultation, running until January 31.

The group will meet with councillors again before the end of the consultation at a public meeting on Friday, January 11.

Taking place at the village hall at 7pm, further responses and views on Shropshire Council’s proposals will be presented.

Vital

Matthew Fennell-Fox, one of the organisers of Shifnal Matters, posted on the group’s Facebook page: “We’re made up of Shifnal residents who come from a variety of backgrounds and have lived in the town for many years, and not very long at all.

“The group wish to hear from everyone. In some locations around the town, those living on the new estates are more affected by the plans than those living in the core of the town in older estates. We absolutely recognise this and therefore it is vital everyone engages.”

Plans currently put forward include a bypass to be built west of the town, a huge employment site of up to 40 hectares of land and a further 1,500 homes built.

Members of the town’s council have previously raised concerns over the proposals, warning that further infrastructure is needed before the town expands.

Councillors Kevin Turley and Ed Bird, who represent Shifnal on Shropshire Council, have both said the residents could even look for the town to switch to Telford & Wrekin Council from the Shropshire authority over the issue. Councillor Turley said: “You cannot say ‘no’ to development full stop, but Shifnal needs the chance to be allowed a bit of breathing space and time to catch up with the development that has taken place.

“Shifnal always seems to be the poor relation when it comes to anything coming in our direction. That section of green belt between Shifnal and Telford has been a precious and protected thing for the people of the town.

“It is interesting listening to people on social media saying that if we are going to develop in Telford’s direction then we could get more out of Telford because we seem to be getting forgotten by Shropshire.

“I listen to the people of Shifnal and they feel like they are not getting their fair share.”