Residents, businesses and community groups across Telford and Wrekin are being urged to have their say before a key consultation on the borough’s Local Plan modifications closes on Monday 20 July. The six-week consultation, launched on Monday 8 June, is the final opportunity to comment on changes recommended by independent Planning Inspectors following examination hearings held earlier this year.
What this consultation covers
The exercise is tightly focused. Only the proposed modifications and associated changes are open for feedback; it does not reopen the entire Plan for debate or invite fresh representations on policies not being amended. The council says the Inspectors’ suggested changes are intended to ensure the Plan can be found sound when they issue their final report.
| Key stage | Date |
|---|---|
| Consultation opens | Monday 8 June |
| Consultation closes | Monday 20 July |
Among the headline areas flagged in the consultation documents are proposals to:
- Extend the Plan period to 2041, reflecting updated assessments of future housing need.
- Strengthen affordable housing requirements, signalling a firmer stance on delivering homes local people can access.
- Update biodiversity net gain policies, aligning with current national expectations on nature recovery and design of new development.
Why it matters for Telford and Wrekin
The Local Plan shapes where and how new homes, jobs, infrastructure and green spaces are delivered across the borough. Extending the timeframe to 2041 locks in a longer view of growth, with knock-on effects for investment decisions, transport planning and community services. Tougher approaches to affordable housing and biodiversity are likely to influence how developers bring forward schemes and how sites are designed, landscaped and managed.
For residents, the outcome will guide decisions on everything from the scale of new estates and employment land to the protection of natural assets. For businesses and landowners, clarity on policy direction helps to frame investment, expansion and redevelopment plans. With the Inspectors’ final recommendations still to come, the consultation is a direct route to inform their conclusions.
How to take part before the deadline
Consultation materials, including the full schedule of proposed modifications, supporting papers and policy map changes, are available online, where responses can be submitted electronically. The council has also made hard copies available at libraries and community centres across the borough, with feedback forms for those preferring to respond in person.
Submissions made by the deadline are sent straight to the independent Planning Inspectors for consideration as they prepare their final recommendation on whether the Plan is sound with the proposed changes.
“This consultation is an important final stage in the Local Plan process and I would encourage anyone who has an interest in the future development of our Borough to take the opportunity to review the proposed modifications and submit their comments before the deadline.”
“The comments we receive will be passed directly to the independent Planning Inspectors for consideration as they prepare their final recommendation on the Plan. With just over a week remaining, now is the time for people to ensure their views are heard.”
Context: where we are in the process
The list of modifications stems from the Local Plan Examination Hearings earlier this year, where the Inspectors tested the evidence and legal compliance of the submitted Plan. Their suggested changes are designed to address issues they identified—such as aligning housing numbers with latest data and ensuring policies are consistent with national planning rules—so that the Plan can progress to adoption.
It is important to note the scope: this is not an opportunity to revisit the already-published elements of the Plan or to propose additional amendments beyond those listed. The focus is on whether the specific changes are justified, effective and legally compliant.
Practical pointers for respondents
- Concentrate comments on the soundness and legal compliance of the listed modifications.
- Where possible, reference the modification number in your response to assist the Inspectors’ review.
- Use the online portal for quickest submission, or visit designated libraries and community centres for paper copies and forms.
- Ensure your response is lodged before Monday 20 July.
With the end of the consultation in sight, this is the community’s last chance to influence the final shape of the Local Plan before the Inspectors issue their conclusions and the council moves towards adoption.
