Overview

On 15 February 2023, the Planning Inspectors examining the draft Shropshire Local Plan issued an Interim Findings document (ID28). This followed the completion of the Stage 1 Hearing Sessions, which focused on legal, procedural and strategic issues (including strategic policies).

The Planning Inspectors subsequently issued further correspondence related to their Interim Findings on the 4 October 2023 (ID36) and 16 January 2024 (ID37).

In responding to the Planning Inspectors Interim Findings and subsequent correspondence, the Council has undertaken additional assessment and prepared additional documentation relating to a range of issues. This material in its entirety is available on the Shropshire Local Plan examination webpages.

Consultation

To inform the examination of the draft Shropshire Local Plan, the Planning Inspectors have requested that Shropshire Council undertake a public consultation on the following documents:

• GC25: The newly proposed draft policy on Housing Provision for Older People and those with Disabilities and Special Needs and its explanation
• Updated Additional Sustainability Appraisal of the Draft Shropshire Local Plan Report
• Updated Housing and Employment Topic Paper
• Updated Green Belt Topic Paper

Shropshire Council is therefore undertaking a six week consultation focused on these four documents.

The purpose of this consultation is to seek views from all interested parties, including those representors which previously made representations on the Regulation 19: Pre-Submission Draft of the Shropshire Local Plan, on these four documents.

This consultation will run from 25 April 2024 until 11 June 2024. Any response must be submitted and received by Shropshire Council by 5pm on 11 June 2024.

Viewing the documents

Each of the four documents can be inspected electronically using the document links provided on this Get Involved webpage below.

These documents can also be viewed via the Shropshire Local Plan examination webpages.

If you do not have access to a computer, the four documents are available to view electronically using available computer/tablet facilities at the Shirehall council office in Shrewsbury, Customer Access Points and Shropshire libraries (during each facilities specified opening times and subject to the availability of computer/tablet facilities, use of which may be by appointment).

Customer Access Points are as follows:

• The Shrewsbury ‘Shropshire Local’ Hub at Unit SU13 of the Darwin Shopping Centre, Shrewsbury
• The Ellesmere Access Point at the Meres Day Centre And Community Care Scheme, Trimpley Street, Ellesmere
• The Oswestry Access Point at Oswestry Library, Arthur Street, Oswestry
• The Ludlow ‘Shropshire Local’ Hub at Ludlow Library, 7 Parkway, Ludlow

There are a number of libraries across Shropshire, including at: Albrighton, Bayston Hill, Bishop’s Castle, Bridgnorth, Broseley, Church Stretton, Cleobury Mortimer, Craven Arms, Ellesmere, Gobowen, Highley, Ludlow, Market Drayton, Much Wenlock, Oswestry, Pontesbury, Shifnal, Shrewsbury and Wem.

Further information

If you have any queries or require any assistance in viewing the documents or submitting a response, please contact the Planning Policy Team by emailing: planningpolicy@shropshire.gov.uk

Further information on the examination of the draft Shropshire Local Plan is available via the draft Shropshire Local Plan examination webpages.

The Council anticipates that further information on the Stage 2 Hearings will be made available on the Examination Calendar on our website in due course following the completion of this consultation.

Documents

The council has prepared a two-part Consultation Response Form and supporting guidance to assist those responding to the consultation. The two-part consultation response form is available in both word or pdf formats using the links below:

• Part A: Consultation response form - word version
  Part A: Consultation response form - PDF version
  
  
• Part B: Consultation response form - word version
  Part B: Consultation response form - PDF version

Supporting guidance can be downloaded using the link below:

• Consultation guidance notes

When responding to this consultation please clearly identify:

• Your name and contact details
• Which of the four documents your comments address
• The relevant paragraph(s) of each document you address
• Whether you consider there are issues of soundness or legal compliance
• Your comments

Responses can be submitted to Shropshire Council by emailing: planningpolicy@shropshire.gov.uk

If submitting your own response, please enter your last name in the subject field of the email. If submitting a response on behalf of a client, please enter their last name in the subject field of the email.

The Council’s preference is for responses to be emailed. However, they can also be submitted by post to:

Planning Policy,
Shropshire Council,
PO BOX 4826,
Shrewsbury SY1 9LJ.

Please note: You must provide your name and contact details. We cannot accept anonymous responses. Responses received will be published on the Council’s website and shared with the Planning Inspector.

The information you provide will be used and retained in accordance with our Planning Policy Privacy Notice.

The purpose of this consultation is to seek views from all parties on these four documents. It is important to note this consultation is not inviting comments on other aspects of the Local Plan.