Identifying and Assessing Sites

What are Site Allocations?

5.1 Site allocations consist of specific areas of land designated in a Local Plan for a particular form of development or land-use.

5.2 The purpose of a site allocation is to ensure sufficient land is available in the right locations to achieve the spatial strategy of a Local Plan. 

Site Allocations in Shropshire - Required Uses 

5.3 Decisions on the forms of development or land-uses for which allocations are required is dependent on a range of factors, including: 

a/ The requirements of national planning policy and guidance.

b/ The Local Plan vision, measurable outcomes and spatial strategy.

c/ Evidence underpinning the Local Plan.

5.4 Based on these factors, we expect the next Shropshire Local Plan to include allocations for the following: 

a/ Residential or residential-led mixed-use development.

b/ Development of specialist housing for older people.

c/ Gypsy & traveller pitches.

d/ Employment or employment-led mixed use development (including for waste management).

e/ Retail and leisure.

Question 21

In your opinion, how important is it for the next Local Plan to include allocations for these uses?

• Residential or residential-led mixed use development.
• Development of specialist housing for older people.
• Gypsy & traveller pitches.
• Employment or employment-led mixed use development.
• Retail and leisure development.

Please explain your answer.

5.5 We are also considering whether there is a need to identify areas of search or allocate land for renewable energy generation and mineral working (sand & gravel and crushed rock aggregates).  

5.6 For renewable energy, this decision on the appropriate approach will be informed by consideration of evidence on renewable energy needs and opportunities. The preferred approach would be expected to facilitate appropriate renewable energy generation in Shropshire. 

5.7 For mineral working, this decision will be informed by consideration of the Local Aggregates Assessment (LAA) for Shropshire and ongoing aggregate monitoring undertaken through the West Midlands Aggregate Working Party (a technical group set-up by Government). 

5.8 Regarding sand & gravel aggregates, the latest Shropshire LAA forecasts sufficient reserves exist to meet demand over the proposed plan period and maintain required reserves at the end of this period*.  

5.9 However, this conclusion includes reserves associated with allocations in the adopted Local Plan, which will not be ‘carried over’ unless re-allocated in the next Shropshire Local Plan. Countering this is the fact that Shropshire Council has recently reached a ‘resolution to grant’ planning permission for several proposals which it is anticipated will in due course increase committed reserves by around 6 million tonnes and there are further planning applications pending consideration.  

5.10 Regarding crushed rock aggregates, the Shropshire LAA forecasts that sufficient reserves exist to meet demand over the proposed plan period, but that insufficient reserves exist to maintain the required level of future reserves from the end of the proposed plan period. However, since the base date for this assessment, planning permission (TWC/2022/0547) was granted for 21.0mt of crushed rock aggregate at Leaton Quarry. It is considered this additional provision is sufficient to maintain the required reserves from the end of the plan period*. 

5.11 The next Shropshire Local Plan could provide the opportunity to complement identified reserves of sand & gravel and crushed rock aggregate to provide greater certainty of supply into the future.

* The Shropshire LAA considered the period to 2045 rather than 2046, but it is considered the conclusion remains applicable.

Question 22

In your opinion, how important is it for the next Local Plan to include allocations or areas of search for these uses? 

• Sand and gravel aggregate working. 
• Crushed rock aggregate working.
• Renewable energy generation.

Please explain your answers.

Identifying Sites

5.17 Through this ‘call for sites’ we invited stakeholders (including developers, landowners, public bodies and the general public) to propose land they think is right for development. 

5.18 We have now mapped all the sites promoted through the ‘call for sites’ process and they can be viewed via our evidence base page.

5.20 Another key process in our draft Site Identification and Assessment Methodology Document we are currently using to identify sites is an ‘ongoing invitation’ to promote sites. 

5.21 This ‘ongoing invitation’ provides a further opportunity for stakeholders to propose land to be considered for development. 

5.22 Further information on this ‘ongoing invitation’ and details of how to promote a site are available on our 'Promoting a site for allocation' page.

5.23 Please Note: Not all sites promoted through the ‘ongoing invitation’ will be proposed for allocation. Proposed allocations will be identified through a site assessment process. 

Ongoing Invitation: Minerals

5.24 We are also continuing to invite stakeholders to promote land for potential mineral working.

5.25 Further information on this 'ongoing invitation' and details of how to promote land is available on our 'Promoting a mineral working opportunity' page.