by Shropshire Council
What is this consultation about?
- This is the first and earliest stage in preparing a new Local Plan for the County
- The consultation runs until 15 July 2026
- Its purpose is to gather views on what the Plan should cover before any development sites or policy options are drafted
Read the consultation documents and more here: Shropshire Local Plan – Scoping Consultation | Get Involved – Shropshire Council Consultation Portal
Core purpose
The scoping consultation seeks comments on:
- Vision and priorities for Shropshire to 2046
- Key issues and opportunities the County faces
- Approach to sustainable development
- How the Council should engage with communities and partners
- Evidence needed to support future decisions
It does not propose development sites or preferred options at this stage
The new Local Plan will:
- Set a long‑term spatial strategy for Shropshire to 2046
- Identify where new homes, jobs, and infrastructure should go
- Protect and enhance natural, historic, and community assets
- Establish measurable outcomes and future site allocations (in later stages)
Why this stage matters
Feedback from this scoping phase will shape the:
- draft vision and objectives
- issues the Plan prioritises
- evidence base the Council commissions
- options and proposals that will appear in later consultations
Concerns
Shropshire Hills National Landscape is mentioned in one consultation document only – the site allocations document Identifying and Assessing Sites | Shropshire Council .
1. National Landscape planning applications – assessment
Shropshire Council proposes using a Red-Amber-Green (RAG) system for deciding if a development in the National Landscape (NL) is appropriate. We suggest every application in the NL should be assessed individually rather than go through the RAG rating. This would identify the complexities of a site and how the site fits into the landscape or the community that surrounds it.
2. National Landscape planning applications – in Full
We also suggest that all planning applications in the NL should be in Full (not Outline) to recognise the sensitivity of the landscape and the importance to the nation.
3. Drop-in consultation sessions – none initially planned for Church Stretton
The advertised drop-in consultation venues initially did not include Church Stretton. Following pressure from local residents and the Town Council, a session is to be arranged. Please look out for local publicity.
How you can get involved
- Respond online Shropshire Local Plan – Sustainable Growth & Flourishing Shropshire Survey or use the alternative response form: alternative-scoping-consultation-response-form.docx
- Use email to: TellUs@shropshire.gov.uk or send by post to: Tell Us, Shropshire Council, PO Box 4826, Shrewsbury, SY1 9JL
- Attend drop‑in sessions across the County to speak with Council Planning Officers. See times date and locations here: Shropshire Local Plan – Scoping Consultation | Get Involved – Shropshire Council Consultation Portal
Church Stretton Housing Plans 