Stage 2 hearings for the Shropshire Local Plan started in October 2024 and were due to continue into December 2024, with the Parish Council due to participate in a hearing session (Matter 23), originally scheduled for 27th November. Unexpectedly the Stage 2 hearings were halted by the Inspectors on 29th October 2024 and all remaining sessions were cancelled, and we have been awaiting an update since that time.

The Inspectors have subsequently sent a letter to Shropshire Council outlining their concerns re. the soundness of the Plan, and this letter has now been published on the Local Plan Examination webpage. You can view a copy of the Inspectors' letter on our website here, or you can read it and other Local Plan documentation on the Local Plan examination calendar webage.

The crux of the Inspectors' findings is that there are serious concerns about the soundness of the Plan and a considerable amount of work would be needed to make the Plan sound. Inspectors have requested a project plan for how Shropshire Council intend to address these concerns over a 6-month timeframe. Inspectors have requested this project plan by 29th January 2025. If this is not possible, then the Inspectors are likely to recommend withdrawing the Plan as it stands currently.

At the moment, all we can do is wait and see how Shropshire Council respond to the Inspectors' request, but as soon as we find out more we will keep the community updated.