Highley and surrounding area

Highley is a large village located in the east of Shropshire, just seven miles south of Bridgnorth town. The village of Highley is the main settlement and is predominantly urban in nature with rural surrounds. The settlement is spread over a mile on the B4555 to the west of the River Severn and the Severn Valley Railway. The village provides the area with a range of shops and other amenities including a sports and community centre at the Severn Centre. Coal mining began in the area in the Middle Ages but the formation of the Highley Mining Company in 1874 saw the expansion of the village. The mine closed in 1969 and is now home to the Severn Valley Country Park. Chelmarsh is a village within the Highley Place Plan area, being four miles south of Bridgnorth on the B4555 road to Highley. Chelmarsh Reservoir attracts many species of wild birds, and there are two public bird hides near the ‘scrape’. The reservoir is home to an enthusiastic sailing club.

For up-to-date area profile and census information, please take a look at our Highley profile.

Place plans were developed to include a main centre (often a market town) and its surrounding smaller towns, villages and rural hinterland. These areas are recognised in the local plan as functioning geographical areas, with strong linkages to and from the main town and the wider area.

The Highley and Surrounding Area Place Plan covers the area identified on the map on this page. It summarises and prioritises the local infrastructure needs which are required to support the sustainable development of the area, and identifies the wider investment needs to assist delivery of the community’s vision and aspirations.

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Data and information review