The Labour Government has introduced a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), published in December 2024. One of the key changes within the updated framework is an increase in housing delivery requirements across local authorities. For Shropshire, the annual housing target has risen significantly - from 1070 to 2025 new homes per year.
In addition, the updated NPPF requires all local authorities to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply. This ensures that there is a sufficient pipeline of deliverable sites to meet future housing needs. Currently, Shropshire Council cannot demonstrate a five year housing land supply, having a substantial shortfall.
In response to this pressing need for new homes, an outline planning application is being brought forward for this site. This site has the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to addressing the current housing shortfall in a manner that is aligned with national planning policy.
Planning Context
The Site
The site is comprised of two parcels, on either side of Bridgnorth Road to the south of Much Wenlock. The northern parcel lies adjacent to Much Wenlock Infant School and the residential areas of Hunters Gate and Forester Avenue. The southern parcel lies between Bridgnorth Road and Callaughton Lane.
As a result, future occupiers would have access to a range of local services and facilities within walking and cycling distance. The high-street can be reached within a 10-minute walk, meaning facilities such as local shops, pubs, restaurants, library and GP are within easy reach.
The Draft Proposals
Our proposals include up to 300 dwellings, which would include affordable and market dwellings across the site. Alongside this, we would provide significant areas of landscaping, public open space, and areas for community and play.
A key feature of this site is its potential to help alleviate an existing flood problem in the Hunters Gate area. This was part of the vision for the site which was expressed in the now-withdrawn draft Local Plan, whereby residential development of this land would provide the infrastructure and investment to provide flood alleviation for the existing dwellings.
Another feature of this development which was envisaged in the draft allocation, and which would be carried forward into our proposals, is the creation of a new four-armed roundabout to act as a gateway feature on the entrance to Much Wenlock from Bridgnorth, connecting the two land parcels and allowing onward travel into the town at reduced vehicle speeds.