487 homes plan: Newport land switch move set to be agreed
Controversial plans which will see almost 50 acres of land switched from one council area to another, in time for 487 planned new homes to be built there, could be given the green light.
The land near Newport, between the A518 and Springfield Industrial Estate, is currently in the boundaries of Chetwynd Aston and Woodcote parish.
But a report recommends it to be incorporated into Newport Town Council, because the potential new residents are more likely to use that town’s facilities.
But they will also have to pay the area’s higher council tax.
Earlier this year a row erupted between the two parish councils with one accusing the other of "aggressive" behaviour with "no logical reasoning".
Boundary changes involving town and parish councils need to be approved by Telford & Wrekin Council, and its Boundary Review Committee will meet to discuss a report on the matter next week.
The authors note that Chetwynd Aston and Woodcote has an electorate of 397.
“The proposed development of 487 properties will more than double the size,” it says.
“Given the location of the new dwellings relative to the main centres of Newport and Chetwynd, new residents may likely look to use the existing amenities of Newport with little change or burden on the community or parish at CA&W.”
Electorate
They estimate that the 487 homes will bring 847 new voters into the Newport Town Council area, bringing its total electorate to around 10,000.
The report authors note the switch will mean higher taxes for people living in the changing area, which it calls the “review area”.
“New residents will pay the increased level of council tax from the day they move to the area,” it says.
“Established residents within the review area will face an increase of £82.15 a year. The precept costs to NTC are greater than the costs to CA&W because the facilities provided within Newport are much greater.”
The report, written by council elections team leader Dave Bowen and legal assistant Alison Coburn, will be discussed by Telford & Wrekin Council’s Boundary Review Committee when it meets at Addenbrooke House on October 23.
A map showing the proposed change is included in the committee agenda, is available on the council’s website.
Earlier this year, Councillor Simon Stacey, the chairman of Church Aston Parish Council, said he and his fellow councillors will do everything they can to oppose what he called an “aggressive” extension of boundaries by Newport Town Council.
By Alex Moore, local democracy reporter
