Borough of Telford & Wrekin

Rural development

The rural area of Telford & Wrekin makes up 74% of the borough. It is an attractive area dominated by agricultural activity but with some sizeable agricultural related pockets of industry.

There are a number of small and very small settlements ranging in size from 615 to 32 dwellings in size. Only eight villages have a population of over 500. With a small and dispersed population public transport, services and facilities in the area are limited causing difficulties for those without their own transport.

The area experiences pressure for new housing which pushes up prices locally and causes problems of affordability for the local community.

Seventeen percent of residents in the rural area are self employed and 13.7% work mainly from home. While unemployment levels at 2.3% are below the average for the borough. Access is a key issue for the unemployed as 8.6% households are without access to a vehicle.

The development strategy for the rural area is to concentrate new development, sufficient to meet local needs, in the three key settlements of High Ercall, Tibberton and Waters Upton. Development outside these settlements will be strictly controlled.

Further details are set out in:

Local Development Framework Development Plan Documents

Local Development Framework Background Information.



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