AVAG issues ‘green belt’ rallying call as it dismisses developer’s claim

Locals in a Shropshire community have hit back at claims from what they describe as ‘profit greedy developers’ that centuries old, prime farmland is ‘grey belt’.

Albrighton Village Action Group (AVAG) has vowed to continue the fight against what they say are speculative and desperate attempts to get planning for what they describe as 800 “unsustainable” homes.

Campaigners, 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 the group 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, which has previously won an award for biodiversity and natural wildlife, and say the land provides a critical rural buffer that protects against urban sprawl between Bridgnorth, Telford and Wolverhampton.  Residents also believe the proposals would irreversibly harm Albrighton’s historic character – fondly known as the home of the English rose.

The location has been slammed by hundreds of official resident objections as being too far from the community’s centre and the railway station, meaning new residents could be entirely dependent on cars.

A national Government Travel Survey (https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-travel-survey-2022/national-travel-survey-2022-household-car-availability-and-trends-in-car-trips) in 2022 found that 45% of households had one car and 34% had two or more cars. The addition of potentially 904 new cars from the development based on these stats would, say protestors, lead to gridlock on already narrow and congested roads.

Residents also cite flooding risks, stating they regularly witness the land and surrounding roads being flooded. Campaigners say there have been several examples of this already this year.

The Albrighton Flood Action Group, who is working with Shropshire Council and various multi-agency organisations to build flood resilience, has also officially objected to the development.

Sharon Barker, spokesperson for AVAG, said:

“The scale of the proposals are obscene, completely unsustainable and inappropriate for our community. We are not surprised, however, 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 Homes with view to issuing a full response shortly.”

“In our opinion, the viability of the plan is in serious doubt, and we are not aware that BH has proven the need for a new secondary school in any documents submitted.  Indeed, the need for a new secondary school was  questioned by Idsall school and other education professionals in an official consultation response.

“Campaigners challenge Boningale Homes to share documents to demonstrate that the Department for Education and Local Authority confirm that there is a need for a new secondary Free School on the site.

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.

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.”

A spokesperson for Boningale Developments said:

“It is our opinion that the site meets the definition of Grey Belt as defined by the NPPF and updated guidance. The submission of our updated Green Belt Assessment and Golden Rules Statement was in response to the change in Policy and allows the Council to make an informed decision on the application.

“The proposed site is confirmed as being within a sustainable location by Shropshire County Council. Furthermore, both Active Travel England and Shropshire Highways have confirmed that the development does not give rise to unsustainable travel patterns nor would it negatively impact on local roads. In fact, Active Travel England supports the application and recommend its approval.

“There are no flood concerns, as confirmed by the Lead Local Flood Authority, and Severn Trent has confirmed it would upgrade the foul drainage network to accommodate the proposed development.

“Furthermore, the scheme would provide 35% affordable housing, which is 15% above Shropshire County Council policy and complies with the new ‘Golden Rules’.

“Our proposal would deliver key facilities as well as new homes and we urge Shropshire Council to approve the application at the earliest opportunity.”

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.

For further information, please visit www.albrightongreenbelt.co.uk or AVAG’s fundraising website  https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/albrightonvag.