What is it and why have one?

Craven Arms will remain the growth centre of the District, and, as identified in the current Local Plan, there are likely to be high levels of housing and industrial growth in the near future.  Therefore, whilst creating the Craven Arms Area Action Plan, we need to respond positively to the challenges of this growth and determine how we are going to meet the future needs of our community.
 
Our Action Plan will aim to ensure that all associated community services and improvements in all the other important areas of community life are addressed alongside residential development.  This is essential to ensure an inclusive, vibrant, dynamic, and economically sustainable community in Craven Arms and the villages that surround it.

"Craven Arms, as South Shropshire's main growth area, is likely to undergo significant change in the coming years.  We therefore need to lead locally on developing the Area Action Plan to make sure we can make sure any change is good for the town and the wider area.  It is Important that development is no longer seen in isolation, that new developments are fully integrated, and that any associated planning gains improve the area. The AAP will allow us, as a community, to look at the long-term growth of our town and its surroundings. 

It will give us the opportunity to take a holistic view of the need or otherwise for residential / economic expansion and the development of infrastructure e.g. road networks, drainage, transport, parking, community facilities, green space and a whole host of other issues many of which have been identified through the Craven Arms Area Partnership Succession Strategy."

Neville Stephens
Chairman Craven Arms Area Partnership

The Local Development Framework is currently being drafted, and will run alongside the Local Plan for the next 2 years or so, and then go on to replace it.