Cabinet amends SAMDev plans in light of community response

Both Oswestry and Church Stretton had development plans amended in Wednesday’s (19 February 2014) meeting of Shropshire Council’s Cabinet.

The amendments for the plans in Oswestry saw two proposed housing sites in the vicinity of the Oswestry Hillfort removed from the plan.  The Jasmine Gardens and Oldport Farm sites were withdrawn – while the third contested site at Whittington Road remained in the plans – in what Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for planning, called a “fair compromise”.  The amendment was approved by Cabinet, but Councillor Price said the amendments could see a challenge from developers.

The plan for Church Stretton saw Councillor Price give his backing to the alternative plan put forward by Church Stretton Town Council and the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership.  The amendments are “subject to receipt of satisfactory evidence of deliverability”.

Mal Price said:

“I was very impressed with the way Church Stretton responded to these proposals and their constructive input during the consultation – it is to be highly commended.  In Oswestry the weight of feeling was such we felt it was the right thing to do, and with the proposed plans I think we have a fair compromise between protecting the site and developing the town.”

This was the final stage in the process of developing the document prior to submission to the Secretary of State for a public hearing.

You can find more details on the decision here.