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September 2008

In the summer of 2008, the Implementation Executive of Shropshire Council issued a series of topic papers as preparation for the Core Strategy of the Local Development Framework (the LDF will be the new county-wide plan for Shropshire).

In response, CPRE Shropshire said that the papers lack a clear vision for the future of Shropshire, particularly in economic development and education. Such a vision is essential and more coherence between different interests is needed.

We reject the council's adoption of Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) Review 2 material as building blocks for Shropshire’s future (The RSS is the regional plan for the West Midlands and is currently being reviewed). The closing date for consultation on the RSS proposals is not until 8 December. There will then be a public inquiry. It is unjustified to include these proposals as though they have already been examined and accepted.

We regret the absence of any reference to agriculture and forestry, which are basic to the county’s employment pattern.

Given the current economic situation, some elements of the topic papers are totally unrealistic, particularly on housing. The situation we now face is different from that which prevailed a year ago and is unlikely to improve for many years to come. Our view is that the new council and regional government need to step back and reconsider the country's position before embarking on further strategic planning.

It is in the vision of Shropshire's future economy that the topic papers are at their weakest. County planners are seeking economic growth through industries such as food processing. They plan to generate more low paid jobs, many in giant tin sheds on the edges of Shrewsbury, many only attractive to migrant workers. Planners also seek to boost tourism, a good move in principle but sadly there is one view that this growth should be based on 'attractions' rather than the heritage, natural beauty and environmental resources of the county. Tourism jobs are also mostly low paid and seasonal.

County planners seem to have no understanding of the nature of entrepreneurship, the importance of innovation and the vital contribution that small businesses, many starting out in bedrooms and attics, make to the economy. They do not seem to know that agriculture and forestry are still important in a rural county, and that both are essential to the character of the county's countryside.

The topic papers worry about the ageing population but do not recognise the importance of young people to the character of communities and to the economy. There is no vision for bringing higher education to the county and youngsters will still have to leave the county to study. Many will go on to found businesses in their university town, not here in Shropshire. Some will not come back until they retire.

What are town centres about? Shopping, shopping, shopping in the county's opinion. Nonsense! Town centres are places to live, play and work, as well as shop. But the county's view is one of town centres competing against each other to attract the same clone shops found in any high street from Tokyo to Los Angeles. In truth, county planners do not have a vision for the future of our market towns, any more than they have for the county as a whole. (See our Oswestry Battle Against the Bland.)

We are also very concerned about the housing projections in the topic papers issued by the Implementation Executive for the unitary authority. Analysis by Roger Carlyle for CPRE shows that projections for new houses in Shropshire are far too high and conflict with existing regional plans. It could lead to damaging and unnecessary loss of countryside.

The topic papers lack a coherent vision for the future of the county. As companies go bust around us, we need to plan for a vibrant, flexible economy that cherishes the beautiful landscapes of the county. What the county does not need is sprawling industrial estates of tin sheds defiling townscapes and the countryside. What it does need is smart growth of better paid jobs in small businesses stitched into the county's farms, streets and town centres. Planners need to encourage these enterprises, especially those founded by young people, who will help keep our communities, schools and economy alive.

The topic papers are only the first step in a long planning process, but they show that the unitary authority needs to raise its game by a very long way. If their thinking is followed through the planning process, Shropshire is sadly destined to become the county of the bland.

Further Information

• The Core Strategy
• The Topic Papers (Shropshire Council website)
• Response to Housing Topic Paper
• Response to Economy Topic Paper