The Southern Planning Committee of Shropshire Council met on 22 July 2025, and approved the extension of Morville Quarry, granted permission for alterations to Hope Valley Nature Reserve, and approved a single-storey extension to a cottage in Wistanstow. Councillors also refused a proposed residential development in Longville in the Dale.

Morville Quarry Extension

The committee approved a full planning application for the extension of Morville Quarry near Bridgnorth to extract approximately 2.7 million tonnes of sand and gravel over 20 years, with an additional two years for restoration. The red line boundary annotating the development encloses 35.5 hectares and includes the existing Morville Quarry site (~10.68ha), The 'Northern Extension' (~12.81ha), the 'Southern Extension' (~8ha) and the Bridgwalton Quarry access road, Plant Site and associated lagoons. The application was submitted by Mr Richard Parton.

The proposed extensions are to the north west and south east sides of the existing quarry. Mineral extraction would occur at a rate of 250,000 tonnes per annum for the first 11 years. The extracted mineral would be processed at Bridgwalton Quarry for the first two years, after which processing would take place at Morville Quarry's new wash plant. Recycling of approximately 212,500 tonnes of imported material would occur from years 3 to 21, producing around 170,000 tonnes per annum of recycled aggregate for sale.

The development also includes:

• A gated 4m wide vehicular crossing point over Hangmans Lane for access between the existing Morville Quarry and Northern Extension Area, controlled by temporary traffic lights.

• A new processing soil wash plant within the existing Morville Quarry.

• Retention of the existing access from Morville Quarry onto Hangmans Lane leading to Telegraph Lane.

• Temporary soil bunds around the northern boundary of the Northern Extension, the northern and north-western boundary of the Southern Extension, and the north-east and south-west boundaries of the Plant Site.

The restoration scheme would provide 24.73% Biodiversity Net Gain¹ over a diverse habitat mix of agricultural land, species rich grassland/hedgerow and waterbodies/reedbeds.

The committee approved the application, delegating powers to officers to refine the conditions and subject to the completion of a Section 106 agreement² to secure a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan and Biodiversity Gain Land Monitoring contribution.

The planning officer stated that the proposed extension aligns with both national and local policies aimed at sustaining materials supply and supporting economic growth. The officer's report noted that the existing Morville Quarry site will be exhausted by the end of 2025, making the extension necessary for the continuity of sand and gravel provision for Shropshire. The proposed Southern Extension Area falls within Minerals Allocation S3.1e of the SAMDev Plan³, supporting Policy MD5 in maintaining an adequate supply of sand and gravel.

The officer concluded:

The strategic location, economic benefits, and comprehensive mitigation measures would ensure that the development supports both local and national objectives in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Hope Valley Nature Reserve Access Improvements

The committee approved an application for the widening of the existing vehicular access, enlargement of the parking/turning area, and formation of a forestry track at Hope Valley Nature Reserve, including associated culverting of ditches.

The committee was advised that the application was before them because part of the application land is owned by Shropshire Council.

The committee approved the application, subject to delegated authority being given to the Planning and Development Services Manager to finalise a Section 106 agreement to secure funding for 30-year monitoring of Biodiversity Net Gain provision on-site, and subject to amended conditions relating to ecological considerations.

Residential Development Land South West Of Home Farm, Longville In The Dale

The committee refused an application for outline planning permission for the erection of nine dwellings on land south west of Home Farm, Longville In The Dale.

Councillor Colin Stanford read a statement in support of the application on behalf of Rushbury Parish Council. Paul Middleton, (Agent), spoke in support of the proposal.

Councillors expressed concern regarding the access to the site, the effect of the development on adjacent heritage assets, and the loss of protected trees.

The committee refused the application for the following reasons:

1. The proposed development would be in an unsustainable location, eroding the natural character and visual amenity of the open countryside. It would also cause harm to a heritage asset and result in the loss of a protected tree without adequate justification or mitigation, contrary to several Shropshire Council policies, the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2024.

2. The proposal would comprise major development in the National Landscape that would have a resultant significant adverse effect on it, neither preserving nor enhancing its purposes. The proposal is neither exceptional nor publicly beneficial.

3. Insufficient information has been provided to demonstrate that the development would not have an adverse effect upon highways safety in this location.

4. Insufficient information has been supplied to demonstrate the provision of 10% Biodiversity Net Gain as a consequence of the development.

Shadwell Quarry, Farley Road, Much Wenlock

The Planning Officer introduced an application for the variation of Condition 2 and removal of condition 15 attached to planning permission 09/02701/FUL dated 23 December 2009 for Shadwell Quarry, Farley Road, Much Wenlock.

Councillor Chris Tyler made a statement in opposition to the application on behalf of Much Wenlock Town Council. Councillor Dan Thomas also made a statement.

Members expressed disappointment that unauthorised work had been carried out which had resulted in the loss of valuable habitat and that money for traffic calming measures and the proposed provision of a public toilet block would now not be available.

Members requested that additional screening be put at the entrance of the site where it would be most visible from the public highway.

The committee granted planning permission subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to the report and delegated powers being given to officers to amend condition where necessary including additional screening /planting at the site's entrance where it is most visible from the public highway, above and beyond what was shown in the approved landscaping plan.

2 Glebe Cottages, Wistanstow

The committee approved an application for the erection of a single-storey side (north) extension and the formation of a doorway and porch to the front (east) elevation at 2 Glebe Cottages, Wistanstow.

The planning officer advised that the application was before the committee as the applicant worked for Shropshire Council and reported directly to the Planning Service Manager.

The committee approved the application subject to the conditions set out in the appendix to the report.

Schedule of Appeals and Appeal Decisions

The committee noted the schedule of appeals and appeal decisions for the southern area as at 24 June 2025. This included the following decisions:

• Appeal Ref: APP/L3245/D/25/3364170 relating to Spring Cottage, 69 Vicarage Bank, Alveley, Bridgnorth. The appeal was made by Mr James Cumiskey against the decision of Shropshire Council to refuse planning permission for the erection of walls and entrance gates to drive. The appeal was allowed.

  The Inspector noted that the Council had shown little consistency in its decision-making, and that the appellant could implement a broadly similar scheme to that subject of this appeal utilising his permitted development entitlements. The Inspector concluded that the other considerations clearly outweighed the substantial weight that I give to the harm to the Green Belt, by reason of inappropriateness. Consequently, the very special circumstances necessary to justify the development exist, and the appeal succeeds.

• Appeal Ref: APP/L3245/Q/25/3363603 relating to Orchard Cottage, Ashford Carbonnel, Ludlow. The appeal was made by Mr Simon Angell against the decision of Shropshire Council to refuse to discharge a planning obligation relating to the affordable housing restriction. The appeal was dismissed.

  The Inspector concluded that the S106 continues to serve a useful purpose by prioritising the accommodation needs of those that require affordable housing in the context of a demonstrable need for such.

  A costs application made by Mr Simon Angell against Shropshire Council was refused.

• Appeal Ref: APP/L3245/W/25/3361427 relating to land adjacent to No.2 Farm Cottages, Arscott. The appeal was made by Mr Joseph Hamer against the decision of Shropshire Council to refuse planning permission for a 4-bedroom dwelling with detached double garage. The appeal was dismissed.

  The Inspector concluded that the proposal would conflict with the Council's spatial strategy and would not be well located in relation to accessing day-to-day services and facilities by more sustainable forms of transport. In addition, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the proposal would harm a European protected species.

  A costs application made by Shropshire Council against Mr Joseph Hamer was refused.