Local people in Albrighton and surrounding areas are being urged to take a ‘walk’ on the right side of history this month by a campaign group fighting overdevelopment plans by Boningale Developments.
Albrighton Development Action Group (ADAG), which is made of up of local volunteers, is galvanising hundreds of people to take part in the ‘Great Green Belt Walk’ on Saturday September 12th.
Starting at 1.30pm, the leisurely 2.8mile family walk will take in much of the beautiful 48 hectares of countryside and farmland under threat from a scheme that is looking to build 800 new homes on the fringe of the community – creating what many experts believe will be another settlement.
The event is designed to highlight the ongoing fight to protect Albrighton’s green belt and will follow a final public meeting, due to be held on Friday September 4th (6.30pm start) at the Red House in Albrighton.
ADAG will use this gathering to explain how it is going to fight the development during the Public Inquiry starting on September 15th, ‘how local people can get involved’ and explain why it needs a final £10k funding push to cover the costs of legal and planning experts leading its Rule 6 involvement.
“We believe this is the largest green-grey belt battle currently being fought in the UK and will set the precedent for future developments. If we don’t prevail then hundreds of communities will lose their open spaces for good…it really is that important,” commented ADAG’s Sharon Baker.
“The ‘Great Green Belt Walk’ is designed to bring the community and other nearby areas together to raise awareness of our fight and that we will not stand by and let a greedy developer take our open spaces.”
She continued: “Hundreds of people have already signed up to 2.8mile walk that will start opposite the Co-op in Albrighton and will take in a circular walk around Cross Road and Newhouse Lane.
“It’s suitable for people of all levels of fitness and will end at The Crown Public House in Albrighton, where there will be live entertainment.”
ADAG has joined Shropshire Council as a ‘Rule 6’ party in the Public Inquiry, which means it becomes an extra formal participant in the process and can employ legal and planning experts to cross-examine the developer.
The group has raised nearly £50,000 to cover the costs of the planning and legal experts required to support this process and now need a final push to generate a further £10,000 to cover all inquiry costs.
Whilst not compulsory, individuals are being encouraged to wear green and seek sponsorship for the walk, with the top three fundraisers receiving a special prize.
“With 3734 residents signing a petition and over 1100 objections registered against the plans, Albrighton has spoken…we’re saying a resounding ‘no’ to Boningale Developments’ plans,” added Sharon.
“We want to protect our green belt for the generations to come and will do everything in our power to make sure we are on the right side of history when the Planning Inspectorate makes their decision in October.”
She continued: “The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham opposed building on the local green belt during his Makerfield campaign and is publicly backing a ‘brownfield first’ approach.
“I can’t think of 48 hectares of land that could be any more green belt than Albrighton South, so let’s see if his government is true to his word.”
Shropshire Council unanimously rejected Boningale Developments plans in December 2025.
To register to join the Great Green Belt Walk –https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/18044/GGBW/.
Donations to ADAG’s campaign can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/adagappealfight.
