Locals in a Shropshire community have hit back at claims from ‘profit greedy’ developers that centuries old, prime farmland is ‘grey belt’.
Albrighton Village Action Group (AVAG) has vowed to continue the fight against speculative and desperate attempts to get planning for 800 unsustainable homes.
Campaigners, which are backed by a 3700-strong petition and over 1100 official objections, are adamant that the 52-hectares of land highlighted by Boningale Homes is prime green belt and is now calling on Shropshire Council to throw out the planning application whilst quickly dedicating resources to undertake a detailed and accurate green belt review.
Residents point to the fact that much of the land is productive farmland, winning awards for biodiversity and natural wildlife, and provides a critical rural buffer that protects against urban sprawl between Bridgnorth, Telford and Wolverhampton.
The location has been slammed as being too far from the community’s centre and the railway station, meaning new residents would be entirely dependent on cars, leading to unsafe roads and gridlock on already narrow and congested roads.
Flooding risks also raise further serious environmental concerns, whilst the proposals would irreversibly harm Albrighton’s historic character – fondly known as the home of the English rose.
The viability of the plan is in serious doubt, with the need for a new secondary school unproven, an insufficient foul drainage network and affordable housing not reaching the new 50% requirement.
“The scale of the proposals are ‘obscene’, ‘completely unsustainable’ and ‘inappropriate’ for our community,” explained Sharon Barker, spokesperson for AVAG.
“We’re not surprised by the continued cynical tactics of Boningale Homes, who are looking to take advantage of the collapse of the Shropshire Local Plan and changes in policy and guidance on the green belt/grey belt.”
She continued: “Our position has always been to welcome sustainable housing, and we are already in the process of having an additional 770 properties built on allocated land. What we don’t need is another 800 that is being forced on us by the greed and opportunistic style of the developer, who has targeted other nearby places with equally outrageous plans.
“There is overwhelming opposition and the message is simple: we will continue to stand on the right side of history and fight for the future of our beautiful community and the green belt for generations to come.
“Shropshire Council need to undertake their own review to help protect the county and, as a group, we are working with our professional planning consultants and legal team to review the claims submitted by Boningale Home with view to issuing a full response shortly.”
Long-standing allies Mark Pritchard (MP for The Wrekin) and Cllr Nigel Lumby, met with AVAG members earlier in the week to discuss ongoing concerns and to look at ways in which he can continue to support the campaign.
(l-r) Sharon Barker (AVAG), Mark Pritchard MP, Duncan Reeves (AVAG) and Cllr Nigel Lumby
He reinforced his determination to fight proposals at the highest level and ensure that the group’s valid and wide-ranging concerns are heard.
“Plans for 800 new houses on Albrighton’s green belt are disproportionate and unsustainable,” added Mark Pritchard MP.
“Before the general election, I warned a Labour Government would downgrade local green belt to grey belt, making it easier to concrete over our countryside – that is exactly what is happening now.
“I will continue to fight to protect the local green belt and support AVAG and local residents to protect local green spaces and the character of this beautiful part of the world.”
Albrighton Village Action Group is urging residents to continue the fight and has placed new banners around key local areas to let local people know that the campaign goes on.
It will also be organising new fundraising activities and events to help it pay for ongoing professional planning and legal support.
