People in Much Wenlock have understandably been shocked by the proposal to build upto 300 new homes alongside the Bridgnorth Road.  The "Consultation Event" that Boningale held on Friday 3rd October does not appear to have alleviated the concerns of the residents of Much Wenlock. The Planning Application, or possibly an Outline Planning Application, is likely to be imminent. 

An opportunity to object will arise only when a detailed application is produced.  Even then there are strict rules about what objections can be considered.  The Much Wenlock Civic Society will be lodging an objection but it is important that anyone who wants to prevent this development should object in writing.  Listed below are just some possible strong grounds for objecting:

  1. There is no evidence that so many new homes are needed in Much Wenlock.
  2. The proposed development ignores the guidance in the Neighbourhood Plan.
  3. The proposed development is far too large for such a small community. There would be an increase in the number of houses in the town by about one third.
  4. The pressure on local services is bound to increase, as a result of the 1000 new homes being built on the Power Station site without any more new homes.
  5. Government guidance states that sites liable to any form of flooding should not be developed. This is the most often flooded site, in or around Much Wenlock.
  6. Building new houses on this sloping site would greatly increase flash flood risk.
  7. The Rapid Response Catchment of Much Wenlock makes any flash flooding risk particularly high and dangerous.
  8. Flooding on this site would go downhill, fill the town sewers and increase flooding risks throughout the rest of the town.
  9. Changes to the sewers and other services would be necessary and seriously threaten our most precious and oldest buildings, such as the Guildhall.
  10. Residents on the proposed development would find it too far to walk into town. Traffic congestion and parking problems would, therefore, be greatly increased.
  11. To be sustainable the new residents would need to find jobs in Much Wenlock. There are too few jobs available in Much Wenlock so people would commute.
  12. There is limited availability of public transport to and from Much Wenlock. Its record on reliability is also variable.
  13. The site is beyond the present development boundary twice endorsed by planning inspectors as a recommended southern limit to the town.
  14. Much Wenlock stands at the highest point in the water supply loop for Telford and has on several occasions had to depend on fresh water tankers to maintain supplies. Building so many new houses would make supply more vulnerable.
  15. When the original Hunters Gate area was development, a copse of trees was planted, to enhance the view of Much Wenlock when approached from Bridgnorth. This copse is now well grown and attractive. Boningale propose to cut down the trees and plant some saplings. The Much Wenlock Tree Forum have been made aware and will consider challenging this when the Planning Application is published.