Residents and businesses in Shropshire are being encouraged to share their views as Shropshire Council begins a new consultation to help shape the future of the county. The scoping consultation, which runs until 15 July 2026, is an early-stage effort to establish the vision and priorities for development in the area up to 2046.
This initiative follows the cabinet’s approval of the Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Making on 6 May 2026. The new plan will replace the existing framework, which consists of the Core Strategy from 2011 and the 2015 Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan, both of which are now outdated.
Because the current documents are nearing the end of their intended period, the council is in a weaker position to manage new housing applications. Under national government rules, councils without a modern plan must place greater importance on the presumption in favour of sustainable development. Furthermore, new government targets now set an expectation for 2,025 new homes to be delivered in Shropshire each year, which is an 86 per cent increase on previous requirements.
The council previously withdrew a draft plan in March 2025 after independent inspectors identified serious issues with the proposals, including concerns regarding housing allocations and site selection. By starting this new process early, officials aim to create a comprehensive strategy that also incorporates minerals and waste planning. The current goal is to submit the final plan for inspection in August 2028, with hopes for formal adoption by the spring of 2029.
As this is an initial scoping phase, the council is not currently proposing specific sites for development or preferred options. Instead, residents and local stakeholders are invited to contribute their thoughts on the broader priorities for the county’s future growth and environmental protection.
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