of the needs of their older residents when planning new homes in their area. The need for bungalows has been identified through liaison with local estate agents who have advised that there is a demand for these, particularly from people who are downsizing. In recent times the number of bungalows built as a proportion of all houses constructed has fallen significantly. Market Drayton Town Council is conscious of the need to address the range of housing related challenges expressed in the Shropshire and Herefordshire Joint Housing Strategy which identifies not just an expanding population but one that includes significantly rising numbers of older people. It also notes that Herefordshire Council, which is a partner to this strategy, has included a policy in its Local Plan Core Strategy explicitly requiring housing developments on sites providing more than 50 dwellings to contain bungalow accommodation, in line with the Housing Minister’s advice. Shropshire Local Plan Core Strategy was adopted before this advice was issued and it is to be hoped that its review will address this matter. 4.29 Of particular note is the area defined as local green space (see policy S.M9 below) along the line of the former railway through the town lying along the southern end of sites MD010 and MD028 defined in Shropshire SAMDev Plan. The enhancement of this local greenspace as a footpath and cycle link as an area of open space contributing to the Town’s Green Infrastructure Network and as an ecological corridor is highlighted in SAMDev Plan policy S11.1a. This NDP policy emphasises the need for measures aimed at enhancing the land’s potential in these regards and the fact that it may be utilised as such in contributing towards meeting Shropshire Council’s Open Space Planning Guidance. Market Drayton’s Open Space and Green Infrastructure Network 4.30 Market Drayton is encircled by a green infrastructure network, much of which also comprises an ecological network. This comprises a corridor of green space associated with the A53 to its north, the River Tern and its associated river and bankside habitat to its south, and a series of smaller areas of open space forming stepping stones and short corridors through its urban area along a north east-south west axis. This broad characterisation and the need to enhance the network should inform the provision of open space in association with any new development. Market Drayton Community-Led Town Plan strongly supports the promotion of walking trails, regard for biodiversity and the town’s natural environment. Policy S.M6 - Green Infrastructure Network
of the needs of their older residents when planning new homes in their area. The need for bungalows has been identified through liaison with local estate agents who have advised that there is a demand for these, particularly from people who are downsizing. In recent times the number of bungalows built as a proportion of all houses constructed has fallen significantly. Market Drayton Town Council is conscious of the need to address the range of housing related challenges expressed in the Shropshire and Herefordshire Joint Housing Strategy which identifies not just an expanding population but one that includes significantly rising numbers of older people. It also notes that Herefordshire Council, which is a partner to this strategy, has included a policy in its Local Plan Core Strategy explicitly requiring housing developments on sites providing more than 50 dwellings to contain bungalow accommodation, in line with the Housing Minister’s advice. Shropshire Local Plan Core Strategy was adopted before this advice was issued and it is to be hoped that its review will address this matter. 4.29 Of particular note is the area defined as local green space (see policy S.M9 below) along the line of the former railway through the town lying along the southern end of sites MD010 and MD028 defined in Shropshire SAMDev Plan. The enhancement of this local greenspace as a footpath and cycle link as an area of open space contributing to the Town’s Green Infrastructure Network and as an ecological corridor is highlighted in SAMDev Plan policy S11.1a. This NDP policy emphasises the need for measures aimed at enhancing the land’s potential in these regards and the fact that it may be utilised as such in contributing towards meeting Shropshire Council’s Open Space Planning Guidance. Market Drayton’s Open Space and Green Infrastructure Network 4.30 Market Drayton is encircled by a green infrastructure network, much of which also comprises an ecological network. This comprises a corridor of green space associated with the A53 to its north, the River Tern and its associated river and bankside habitat to its south, and a series of smaller areas of open space forming stepping stones and short corridors through its urban area along a north east-south west axis. This broad characterisation and the need to enhance the network should inform the provision of open space in association with any new development. Market Drayton Community-Led Town Plan strongly supports the promotion of walking trails, regard for biodiversity and the town’s natural environment. Policy S.M6 - Green Infrastructure Network