The Northern Planning Committee of Shropshire Council met on Tuesday 18 August 2026 to consider two significant planning applications: one for the construction of agricultural buildings and a slurry lagoon at Trefarclawdd Farm, and another for the erection of 128 dwellings at land to the south-east of Aries Drive in Shawbury. The committee also received an update on appeals and appeal decisions.

Trefarclawdd Farm, Tref-ar-clawdd, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 9DE (24/03015/EIA)

The committee was scheduled to discuss an application for the construction of two cubicle buildings, a slurry lagoon, and associated works at Trefarclawdd Farm. The proposal aimed to house an additional 500 cows, bringing the total at the farm to 1,000. The report pack indicated that the recommendation was to grant planning permission, subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 agreement.

The Oswestry Rural Parish Council had raised objections, citing concerns about inaccuracies in environmental assessments, inadequate assessment of odour and ammonia impacts, and potential pollution risks. They also disputed the Environment Agency's conclusion that the proposal would improve existing operations, arguing it represented a significant expansion.

The Environment Agency raised no objection, noting that the proposed development would improve operations on the farm and that slurry lagoons are regulated under SSAFO regulations. They confirmed that the slurry production figures appeared satisfactory and the lagoon should be large enough for winter months.

Natural England offered standing advice, and Shropshire Council's Ecology team recommended conditions and that biodiversity net gain be secured through a Section 106 agreement. They concluded that the proposed development would not result in any likely significant effect on European Designated Sites, subject to mitigation.

Shropshire Council's Landscape and Trees teams raised no objections. However, Shropshire Council's Drainage team objected due to insufficient information provided regarding surface water drainage.

Public representations also raised concerns regarding highway safety, traffic, manure and slurry management, drainage, pollution, residential amenity, and the scale and cumulative impact of the development.

Proposed Development Land To The SE Of Aries Drive, Shawbury, Shropshire (25/03499/FUL)

The committee was scheduled to consider an application for the erection of 128 dwellings, with associated access, open space, gardens, and parking areas, at land to the south-east of Aries Drive in Shawbury. The recommendation was to grant delegated authority to officers to approve the application, subject to a Section 106 Agreement and conditions.

The scheme included a mix of dwelling types and tenures, with thirteen affordable housing units and six accessible bungalows. Public open space and a Local Equipped Area for Play (LEAP) were also part of the proposal. A separate application for a temporary construction access from the A53 had been granted, addressing concerns about construction traffic routing through the existing residential area.

Shropshire Council's Affordable Housing team confirmed the provision of policy-compliant affordable housing. The Highways Authority initially raised concerns but withdrew their objection after reviewing amended transport information. The Lead Local Flood Authority also withdrew its objection after the submission of additional drainage information.

Shropshire Council's Green Infrastructure, Landscape, and Ecology teams raised no objections, with the latter recommending that biodiversity net gain be secured through a Section 106 Agreement. The MOD raised initial objections regarding birdstrike risk associated with landscaping and drainage features, requesting conditions related to construction management. Shropshire Council's Conservation and Archaeology teams raised no objections.

Shawbury Parish Council had submitted a detailed objection, citing concerns about the scale of development, highway and access issues, pedestrian safety, local infrastructure capacity, environmental impacts, and construction disruption. Local residents' objections broadly aligned with those of the Parish Council. The Local Member, Councillor Alison Williams, also objected on grounds of highway impacts, infrastructure capacity, and flood risk.

Appeals and Appeal Decisions

The committee was also scheduled to receive an update on appeals and appeal decisions. This included details of appeals against refusals for:

• 25/04559/PA3MA: Refusal of prior approval for the change of use of the first and second floors of The Pump House, Coton Hill, Shrewsbury to 7 residential flats.
• 20/01101/001: Refusal of an outline application for up to 4 dwellings at land at Kinton, Shrewsbury.

The committee was also to be informed of appeal decisions that had been made, including:

• 24/03767/OUT: Appeal dismissed for an outline application for 5 self-build dwellings on land north of Olden Lane, Ruyton Xi Towns.
• 25/01280/FUL: Appeal allowed for the erection of a detached garage at Gardeners Cottage, Buntingsdale, Market Drayton.
• 25/03565/PIP: Appeal allowed for permission in principle for 3 affordable and 3 open market dwellings at land east of Broad View, Old Woods, Bomere Heath.
• 26/01290/FUL: Appeal allowed for the erection of a new boundary fence at 18 Lanesfield, Shrewsbury.
• 25/03853/FUL and 25/03854/ADV: Appeals dismissed for the installation of a BT Street Hub Unit with advertisement panels outside 5 Castle Street, Shrewsbury.
• 26/00627/PIP: Appeal dismissed for permission in principle for between 2 and 7 dwellings at land adjacent to the eastern side of the lane leading to 14 Myddlewood, Myddle.