Building Surveys & RICS Valuations in Shropshire

Shropshire is a unique and diverse county, with a rich blend of natural, industrial and social heritage.

It has a diverse and flourishing natural environment. The variety of geology in Shropshire is unequalled in any area of comparable size in Britain, or indeed the world, and inspired the world-renowned geologist, Roderick Murchinson, which means that Shropshire place names are known globally and used by geologists across the world. Geology and the natural environment also inspired the county’s most famous son, Charles Darwin, who was born and went to school in Shrewsbury.

Almost a quarter of the county is designated as the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and we have three national nature reserves. We also have internationally important wetland sites, special areas of conservation (of European significance) and many sites of special scientific interest. Shropshire has the third longest rights of way network in the country, including long-distance paths such as the Shropshire Way and Offa’s Dyke Path National Trail, and national cycle routes.

Vibrant Shropshire logoBeing on the border between upland Wales and lowland England, Shropshire has had a complex and turbulent history. This fascinating past is reflected in a wealth of archaeological sites of all types and periods, and in a rich collection of archives. The fascinating heritage of the Industrial Revolution is recognised in the two world heritage sites that partly fall within the Shropshire unitary area: The Ironbridge Gorge and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal, along with The Flaxmill Maltings, the world's first iron-framed building, paving the way for modern skyscrapers. Shropshire also has the third highest number of listed buildings and registered parks and gardens in the country, and over a hundred conservation areas.

There are many museums and heritage attractions, including RAF Museum Cosford, Severn Valley Railway, Ironbridge Gorge Museums, Ludlow Castle, Shrewsbury Castle, Attingham Park, Dudmaston Hall, Oswestry Hillfort, Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd.

Libraries form important hubs in the heart of communities, as do the many town and village halls, sports facilities and leisure centres. Significant sporting facilities include a 10,000-seat stadium, which is the home of Shrewsbury Town Football Club, Ludlow Racecourse and Lilleshall National Sports Centre.

Cultural vibrancy flows across Shropshire, from the distinctive county town of Shrewsbury with its major cultural assets, including Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery and Shrewsbury Market, to its sixteen market towns, each with fascinating culture and heritage, active cultural communities and distinctive stories to tell.

Farming diversification has nurtured a high-quality artisan food and drink sector, which in turn supports a highly independent retail and leisure offer for residents and visitors supported through food markets and food festivals.

Bordering Wales, with good connections to major cities in the north, south, west and the Midlands, Shropshire has an enterprising and independent spirit that manifests in higher than average numbers of small businesses and self-employed people, and strong arts, music and creative industries, heritage, leisure and visitor economies - many with potential for growth.

There’s a rich diversity of arts provision, in particular visual arts and theatre, and the county is home to both locally and nationally significant organisations, venues and festivals supporting local artistic talent and attracting national and international artists. There’s also a vibrant community events and festivals programme, with hundreds of regular cultural activities in Shropshire’s annual events calendar, engaging large numbers of people and attracting inward investment.

Properties in Shropshire had an overall average price of £284,166 over the last year.

The majority of sales in Shropshire during the last year were detached properties, selling for an average price of £406,007. Semi-detached properties sold for an average of £231,899, with terraced properties fetching £198,412.

Overall, sold prices in Shropshire over the last year were 1% down on the previous year and 3% up on the 2021 peak of £275,223.

Shropshire Council is at an advanced stage of a Local Plan Review. This review has been undertaken for a number of reasons, including:

Local planning authorities, such as Shropshire Council, have a statutory responsibility to maintain an up-to-date Local Plan, and national policy indicates that Local Plans should be regularly reviewed, with the expectation this is done at least every five years. This Local Plan Review therefore responds positively to this requirement

It allows for the consideration of updated information on development needs within the county

It allows the opportunity to reflect changes to national policy and our local strategies

It allows for the Plan period to be extended to 2038

It allows the opportunity to help support growth, by generating certainty for investment in local development and infrastructure through a policy framework that establishes an up to date and objective assessment of development needs and supports sustainable development in Shropshire during the period to 2038

Will help maintain local control over planning decisions during the period to 2038

Under government’s ‘plan-led’ approach to development, the Local Plan is a key component of the overall Development Plan for the area, and should provide a positive strategy to enable an area to grow in a sustainable manner.

https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/planning-policy/local-planning/local-plan-review