To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Elizabeth Barker

Councillor Carl Rowley substituted for Councillor Barker

To confirm the minutes of the Southern Planning Committee meeting held on 25 November 2025

Contact Tim Ward (01743) 257713.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Southern Planning Committee held on 25 November 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is no later than 12 noon on Wednesday 10 December 2025 .

There were no public questions

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Councillor Nigel Lumby advised the committee that with regard to agenda item 5, he was the local member and that he would make a statement and then leave the table and take no part in the debate or vote

Outline application to include access for a mixed-use development comprising up to 800 no dwellings, a care home of up to 80 units, a secondary school and local centre with associated access, infrastructure, landscaping and drainage

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the application which was an outline application to include access for a mixed-use development comprising up to 800 no dwellings, a care home of up to 80 units, a secondary school and local centre with associated access, infrastructure, landscaping and drainage and with reference to the drawings and photographs displayed, she drew Members’ attention to the to the location and layout.

The Principal Planning Officer drew Members attention to the information contained in the schedule of late representation which had been circulated by email.

Millie Dodd spoke in favour of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Matt Lakin spoke on behalf of the Albrighton Development Action Group  against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Councillor Colin Noakes spoke on behalf of Albrighton and Donington Parish Council against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees

Councillor Nigel Lumby, local Ward Councillor made a statement in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.  He then left the table and took no part in the debate or voting on the item.

Megan Wilson, (Agent), spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Members commented that they felt that the application site did not meet the criteria to be described as “grey belt” and that the development did not meet the criteria for development on the greenbelt. They also had concerns about the scale and sustainability of the application and the impact on the local community.  They acknowledged the large amount of opposition from the local community as evidenced by the large number of objections on the planning portal and the number of signatures on the petition that had been submitted.

RESOLVED

That in accordance with the Officer recommendation the application be refused for the following reasons: -

Policy

The proposed development site is wholly located in Green Belt countryside outside of any settlement development boundary which is not safeguarded or allocated land and is not regarded as being grey belt. Development in this location would be incompatible with the principles of sustainable development in that it would undermine the development strategy set out in the adopted Shropshire Council Core Strategy and Site Allocations and Management of Development (SAMDev) Plan which seek to facilitate residential development within a sustainable settlement hierarchy. In addition to the proposal being inappropriate development in the Green Belt, it would result in harm to the character and appearance of the area. The wider benefits of this BMV land have not been recognised, nor has it been demonstrated that development of this site is necessary in preference to poorer quality land or land outside the Green Belt, therefore effective use of the land has not been made in accordance with NPPF paragraph 187b), and Sections 11 and 13. Less than substantial harm to the significance of the Boningale  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

RESOLVED:

That the Schedule of Appeals and Appeal Decisions for the southern area as at 16 December 2025 be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Southern Planning Committee will be held at

2.00 pm on Tuesday,27 January 2026 at the Guildhall

RESOLVED:

That it be noted that the next meeting of the South Planning Committee will be held at 2.00 pm on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at the Guildhall