Whittington – What I’ve Been Working On
“Much of my month has been shaped by planning pressures, infrastructure issues and heavy casework – especially around Park Hall.”
Over the last month, much of my time has been focused on Whittington and Park Hall, alongside the wider work across the division. I’ve continued to scrutinise planning applications, challenge poor proposals, and work with residents where concerns are rising.
The Top Street planning application has taken up attention again — I’ve spoken to the case officer, reiterated my earlier concerns, and welcomed the Tree Preservation Order consultation that has now come forward.
Highways remain a constant pressure. I’ve kept up engagement with National Highways on the A5, Queens Head, Whittington Road and the Five Ways junction, all of which face growing risks from cumulative development. Frustrations continue too — especially where I wasn’t consulted ahead of the double-yellow-line proposals outside the shop.
Drainage and wastewater capacity have dominated much of my casework. I’ve made surface‑water risk and run‑off a central part of my representations.
Correspondence volumes have been heavy, particularly around Park Hall. I’ve aimed to respond early and help residents navigate planning or enforcement queries.
West Felton – Planning, Community, and Infrastructure
“Planning has understandably dominated this month – and the strength of community feeling in West Felton has been striking.”
In West Felton, planning has understandably dominated much of the past month. I submitted my formal objection and call‑in for the 26/00099/OUT application at Alma Close, setting out significant concerns about heritage, cumulative development pressure, drainage risks, and highway safety at Queens Head. Planning application for 42 dwellings from Shingler Homes off Alma Close, West Felton
I’ve also been supporting residents preparing their own objections, helping to frame issues clearly and effectively. Beyond Alma Close, I’ve called in all other speculative applications currently in the system, given the cumulative impact.
I continue to monitor the Twyford Lane/Holyhead Road and Old Rectory Gardens applications, and will be submitting further comments. Attendance at the Neighbourhood Plan meeting highlighted just how strongly residents feel about shaping the future of the village.
Highways issues remain — including the long‑standing need for a new streetlight on The Avenue. I’ve kept pressure on officers to progress this.
Drainage and wastewater remain a major area of focus, mirroring issues elsewhere in the division.
Across Both Parishes – Shared Challenges
Across both parishes, potholes have spiked again as they do every winter. Two extra Multevo teams have now been brought into Shropshire — based at Rednal — taking the total to five. Before the winter surge, the backlog had been cut by half as we moved toward a more mixed‑economy model.
As planning portfolio holder, I continue to work on strategic policy — including the settlement hierarchy and transport modelling feeding into the new Local Plan. I have repeatedly stressed that development must follow infrastructure rather than the other way round.
The financial outlook remains deeply challenging. Despite pushing Shropshire’s case, the Government reduced our settlement by another £2m this year. While permission has been given for a council‑tax rise of up to 8.99% without referendum, it only underscores how unfair the current system is for rural areas.
Essentially Shropshire Council has been shafted by the decisions of former Conservative Administrations and now by the Labour Government. The government have singularly failed to understand Shropshire high age profile, the cost of delivering social care and others services across a big rural county.
Looking ahead, I’ll continue scrutinising planning applications, pressing for movement on highways priorities, working with National Highways and council officers, and supporting West Felton’s Neighbourhood Plan.
