Plans for 800 green belt homes rejected

A proposal to build 800 homes on green belt land has been unanimously turned down.

The scheme in Albrighton, Shropshire, was put forward by Boningale Developments, and as well as the homes, included a care home and secondary school on 48 hectares of land off Patshull Road.

The firm's argument was the site was on grey belt land (previously developed or low-quality land within the protected green belt), not the green belt.

Shropshire Council's northern planning committee said it did not comply with the council's planning policies, and would represent inappropriate development in the green belt. Boningale Developments has confirmed it will appeal the decision.

The proposal had been met with opposition from residents through the Albrighton Development Action Group (ADAG).

In total, 1,157 public representations were submitted, with the majority objecting to the scheme, with 28 in support.

Following the decision, the ADAG said it was not against house building but the house building plan that was of the wrong scale and in the wrong location.

Boningale Developments said it was "disappointed" with the recommendation.

A spokesperson said it still believed the proposal would help Albrighton to continue to be "a sustainable and vibrant location to live for generations to come", and added that it would prepare to appeal.

"Our proposals would make a meaningful contribution to addressing the worsening unmet need for new homes in Shropshire in one of its most sustainable locations – the decision by today's committee members undoubtedly puts pressure on other settlements to accommodate additional housing, with Albrighton, once again, being denied the opportunity to grow sustainably and take its fair share of Shropshire's housing requirement."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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