Lead Member – Councillor N Laurens – Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth

Report of the Head of Economic Growth

Contact: Gemma Davies    Tel: 01743 258985

RESOLVED:

i)             That Shropshire Council continues to be an active, lead partner in the Big Town Plan alongside Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury BID to coordinate the action planning and implementation of the development opportunities detailed with the Big Town Plan (Appendix 1).  This aligns with Shropshire Council’s direct involvement in the delivery of development opportunities, subject to the necessary financial appraisals, due diligence and necessary approvals.

ii)            That the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan – Final Draft be made available for public consultation for a three-week period.  A summary of this consultation along with the final version of the Big Town Plan to be considered at a future Cabinet meeting.

iii)           That the final version of the Big Town Plan (post public consultation) will form part of the evidence base to inform the emerging review of the Local Plan; and the principal of using the Big Town Plan as a material consideration in decision making on relevant planning applications can be established.

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth presented a report from the Head of Economic Growth summarising the content of the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan and providing information on the extensive public engagement undertaken to date. 

He made particular tribute to the joint working between the Council, Shrewsbury Town Council and the Shrewsbury Business Improvement District operating as the Big Town Plan Team that had resulted in the co-creation of the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan final draft.  Thanks were also conveyed for the positive feedback received from the Council’s Place Overview Committee and for the work undertaken by Officers within the Economic Growth team.

RESOLVED:

i)             That Shropshire Council continues to be an active, lead partner in the Big Town Plan alongside Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury BID to coordinate the action planning and implementation of the development opportunities detailed with the Big Town Plan (Appendix 1).  This aligns with Shropshire Council’s direct involvement in the delivery of development opportunities, subject to the necessary financial appraisals, due diligence and necessary approvals.

ii)            That the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan – Final Draft be made available for public consultation for a three-week period.  A summary of this consultation along with the final version of the Big Town Plan to be considered at a future Cabinet meeting.

iii)           That the final version of the Big Town Plan (post public consultation) will form part of the evidence base to inform the emerging review of the Local Plan; and the principal of using the Big Town Plan as a material consideration in decision making on relevant planning applications can be established.