Message from Andy Woodethorpe, Baschurch Railway Campaign.
Baschurch Station Campaign Public Consultation Meeting
Friday 15th July saw the Public Consultation Meeting for the longstanding Baschurch Parish Council led Station Campaign take place at the Corbet School.
An audience of over 250 enjoyed presentations from Andy Woodthorpe – Baschurch Station Campaign lead and Baschurch Parish Council vice-chair, Helen Morgan MP, Professor John Whitelegg, professor in sustainable transport, Dr Nigel G Harris, a world renowned expert in railway planning and Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council cabinet member
Professor Whitelegg said, 'The attendance was as good as or better than any public meeting on a transport policy issue I have seen in 30 years. A very clear sign of massive support for the station re-opening'
Why we need a station –
We have to take development, that is government policy and people want to live here. Baschurch and the surrounding area will continue to grow.
Buses are sporadic and likely to take longer
Roads - need I say more!
You can't have escaped we that have a climate emergency. There's huge environmental benefits in public transport, which will take vehicles off the road – easing pollution and congestion
The station will present opportunities for education and employment both outwards and inwards. PGL for example, are hugely supportive as they can see how a local station would make travelling of their visitors and staff easier whilst reducing the carbon footprint
And we've had immense local support with many people describing how the station would benefit them
Why we need to act now
The land required for a railway station car park can be provided as part of a proposed development. Previous attempts at re-opening the station have failed because without the provision of parking, the catchment area wasn't large enough . This car park would allow the catchment area to expand to reach 12,000 people.
Shinglers have always been very good developers to work with and provide community benefit as part of their housing schemes. They intend to submit a planning application on the infill land between the Boreatton Fields and Kings Moat developments - and working with the landowner, will be offering the station car park land as a community benefit following extensive dialogue with the parish council.
This proposed development currently sits outside of the local plan development boundary, so it is likely Shropshire Council planners will object. It will then go to a planning committee to be determined – and that's where your support is needed.
It is very likely the infill land will be included in the local plan when it's next reviewed, in 3-5 years time. But as Shinglers are already working on Boreatton Fields, to develop the adjacent site as a next phase makes far more sense.
When this land is included in the local development plan, they would be able to secure planning for the development but without the need to offer the additional community benefits currently proposed.
The station car park land already has planning permission for 6 houses. However, Shinglers and the landowner are prepared to offer this land for car parking to provide every chance for the railway station to reopen.
The proposed development will offer double the required standard of affordable homes plus a mix of 1,2,3 and 4 bed dwellings. Shinglers, also have agreed to provide access from Eyton Lane which will the station easier to walk or cycle to for many local residents.
Where do you come in?
We need public support - YOUR SUPPORT or the Station Re-Opening will not happen.
Please send your email details to baschurchstationcampaign@baschurchpc.org.uk so we can keep you informed.
When prompted there are some key actions we would like you to take
1 - Comment on the planning application when it comes forward. You can help influence the planners and planning committee. Expected in the next month – we will let you know when
1. 2 – Complete a housing survey. It will be called Right Home, Right Place. It will be useful for this development but also for future housing needs in the local area. It too, will be within the next month.
3 - Late Summer - There will be a railway survey to ascertain usage
We can also be found on Facebook – Baschurch Railway Station Campaign
