User talk:Nikgpw2

Minsterley branch line
As I stated in the article, the line is protected from development which would prejudice any future reopening (as a railway - though turning it into a cycle route would probably not prejudice any future reopening of the railway line... well I would hope not!!). This is given in Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council's (SABC) local plan. Two things to note: firstly, SABC has been merged into the new Shropshire Council (this however does not affect the local plan for the area covered previously by SABC); secondly, the local plan is on its way out - it will soon (in the next year or two) be replaced by the Local Development Framework (LDF) process (a new version of local plans). What the line's status will be in this new local plan (the LDF), which will be for all of Shropshire Council's area, I do not know. It might be an idea to give Shropshire Council's planning policy section a call or write them a letter, asking if they know yet what the future policy will be regarding protecting former railway lines from development. Remember - this protection is merely the protection of the route from development which might prevent or hinder the future of the route as a railway line. It says nothing about the ownership of the line's route, or whether there are actual plans for its reinstatement as a railway line.

Local Plan's transport policies - take a look at Policy T9

I copy the main chunk of it below for you:

9.50 Whilst at present there may be no proposals to reinstate any of the old railway lines which cross the Borough, PPG13 makes it clear that such routes, where substantially intact may provide opportunities for future re-use, should this become viable as the transport policy moves away from the use of the private car.

''9.51 At present, such lines also offer opportunities to provide a valuable recreational asset where important cycling and walking routes can be accommodated, providing links across the Borough and between the countryside and the town. As largely undeveloped corridors of open land, these routes can also harbour important wildlife resources, forming a part of a network of habitat corridors, in both urban and rural areas.''

9.52 The main routes through the Borough are the old Shrewsbury to Minsterley line, the Shrewsbury to Ironbridge line and the line that runs from Shrewsbury into mid Wales (this is broken by the presence of the Nesscliffe Training Camp).

''9.53 Whilst there are no proposals at present to re-use any of the lines within the Borough, in order to protect the routes, the Council will not grant planning permission for development that would sever or otherwise unacceptably impinge upon the route of a disused rail line. Where possible the Council will, in conjunction with the County Council, pursue schemes to bring such routes into recreational use through the development of cycling and walking opportunities.''

I hope this helps. David (talk) 15:22, 30 April 2009 (UTC)