Opposition builds towards 800-home development
Plans to build 800 homes, along with a supermarket and a doctor’s surgery on green belt land in Albrighton, drew hundreds of residents to a public meeting in east Shropshire.
Developers have said the new development will create over 1,000 jobs and inject £64m into the local economy.
Campaigners argue that the development by Boningale Homes would alter the village’s character, increasing its size by over 60%.
On Thursday night, all 200 seats at The Red House community venue were filled, with many people standing outside in the rain to listen.
The meeting featured speeches from residents, the developers, and MP Mark Pritchard, who organised the event and expressed his opposition to the plans.
The Albrighton Village Action Group has also started a fundraising campaign to raise £20,000 for legal fees to oppose the plans.
Two representatives of the developers, George Thompson, whose father founded Boningale Homes in 2012, and Dean Trowbridge, took questions from the audience.
They outlined the proposals for the 800 homes, including 20% affordable housing, a minor injuries unit, a pharmacy, a doctor’s surgery, a supermarket, a secondary school for up to 750 students, a new high street, a sports hall, and a games facility.
A planning application could be submitted to Shropshire Council in the coming weeks.
