RESIDENTS turned out in force to a public meeting held amid rising concern over the large housing developments proposed for Shipston.
The campaign group Save Our Shipston (SOS) held the meeting at Townsend Hall on Sunday (October 19). More than 200 residents turned out to discuss the impact of recent large-scale planning applications affecting the town.
They listened to a wide range of presentations from experts, councillors from across the political spectrum and MP Manuela Perteghella.
The panel explained the reason for the influx of planning applications hitting Shipston, with developers taking advantage of new government policy which is at risk of opening the floodgate to thousands of, what SOS perceive to be, the wrong houses being built in the wrong places.
Lots of districts, including Shipston and Stratford, now have “housing shortages” based on new government calculations which have come under much criticism.
After the presentations panellists answered many questions from the audience.
People’s concerns included the impact of new development on Shipston’s infrastructure, environment and character, a lack of affordable housing, a lack of new commercial infrastructure to support local businesses, flood risk, housing suitable for the elderly and for young people and their families.
Of greatest concern to residents is a planning application for 1,150 houses submitted for east of the Stour.
Coun Dave Passingham, Stratford District Council’s ward councillor for Shipston South, said: “This will cause great and significant harm to Shipston. We’ve already had worsening flooding and sewage from the 700 recently built houses. How can our ageing infrastructure cope with 2,000 more? We’re not anywhere near a transport corridor, we’ve no good roads, no rail and a poor bus service. We’ve lost our hospital, fire station and banks. These developments are all in open countryside, especially Fell Mill Lane, so would change the character of Shipston altogether.
“The decline in local employment means lots of people have to travel to get to work. This is an unsustainable place to build housing. It should never have been included as a strategic planning location – these are places you shouldn’t build houses.”
The campaign group has started a GoFundMe page to raise funds to pay for sound planning advice and legal support.
Visit www.gofundme.com/f/save-our-shipston to donate.
