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‘Clarity’ sought after concerns raised over future of Telford solar farm hedges

FeatureTelford CrimeTelford News

Telford & Wrekin Council has now been given permission by its own development controllers for a new 3m-high fence to be installed around the site at Wheat Leasows following an assessment period.

Objections from members of the public included an opponent of the solar farm who wrote: “Ripping out a hedge adjacent to this very busy rat run in January will cause considerable disruption.

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Hospital director wins national finance award

FeatureTelford News

Carol McInnes, Director of Planning and Transformation at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH), has been named ‘Finance Champion of the Year’ at the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) Awards.

The award recognises and celebrates someone who stands out for demonstrating exceptional dedication and initiatives within their organisation.

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Dawley students turn reporters for writing contest

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People

Year 6 pupils at Captain Webb Primary School in Dawley have been showcasing their creative talents this month. The school recently reached out to share the work of their young writers following a similar project held last year.

The winning entry from Ariella was a completely independent piece of work. She described the student as a talented writer and said the school is excited to see what she creates in the future.

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Town centre car parks could become housing in new plans

FeatureTelford News

Three Telford town centre car parks – one disused and the other two currently active – could be turned over for development if major issues can be overcome.

Some 158 houses could take the land at the Blue Willow car park while another 138 could be built on the next door Lime Green Car Park (Odeon cinema).

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Memorial bench for volunteer gardener who died suddenly aged 40

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People

Chris Nutt, who worked at Fujitsu and initiated the firm sending volunteers to the Friends of Telford Town Park (FOTTP) group as part of a staff welfare programme, died suddenly in December 2024, aged 40.

A bench in memory of him has now been installed by Fujitsu and the Friends as they were so grateful for the work he did and wanted to honour him.

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Fire service “making steady progress”

FeatureTelford News

Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) says it is “continuing to make steady progress” and is on schedule to complete a number of improvements highlighted in an inspector’s report.

Last year His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) said the service “requires improvement” in six key areas, and is “inadequate” at managing its resources.

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Permission granted for 57 homes in Shifnal despite objections

FeatureTelford News

Nearly 60 homes are to be built in Shifnal, despite many people being against it.

The proposal by Taylor Wimpey will see 57 properties built on land southeast of Windmill View. The development will consist of two, three, and four-bedroom houses, with 20 per cent designated for rent or shared ownership.

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Students bring festive cheer to the community

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People

Pupils from Ercall Wood Academy in Wellington hosted their third annual Christmas afternoon tea and welcomed older members of the local community for the celebrations.

Principal Nick Murphy said the much-loved event had become a highlight of the Academy’s calendar and reflected the school’s commitment to community engagement and bringing multiple generations together.

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Housing plan for Newport site ‘used for fly-tipping’ withdrawn

FeatureTelford News

Potential developers of a vacant site close to Newport town centre have withdrawn plans to build nine homes to consider options following council feedback.

Staffordshire-based MAG Developments Ltd has told Telford & Wrekin Council planners that it is “disappointed and perplexed” by the council’s feedback about requirements for the site.

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Bigger shops needed say retail park owners

FeatureTelford BusinessTelford News

London-based agent Montagu Evans has told the planners at Telford & Wrekin Council that interest in retail park investment is coming from the larger retail operators.

“Recent market activity and enquiries have indicated that interest is increasingly being driven by larger format retail operators who typically require greater internal floor areas to support their operational models.” the agents wrote.

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College donates gift boxes for the homeless and vulnerable

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People

Telford College students have donated dozens of Christmas gift boxes to a local charity which supports homeless and vulnerable people.

Students from the college’s foundation learning department have made up a total of 35 festive gift boxes for Stay Telford & Wrekin, from donations collected around the campus.

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Shropshire Youth Awareness campaign tops £10,000 mark

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People

The new Shropshire Youth Awareness Day which saw the county turn blue to show its support has so far raised more than £10,000 for youth charities across the county and the amount is still rising. 

Pic: The High Sheriff of Shropshire Jane Trowbridge with pupils at Wombridge Primary School taking part in the Youth Awareness Day

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Telford dog rehoming centre appeals for support to improve ageing facilities

FeatureTelford News

Hilbrae Dog Rehoming Centre has launched its Build a Better Bark appeal to fund the replacement of outdated kennel blocks and re-fence its exercise paddock, saying the work is vital to ensure dogs arriving at the centre who have lost everything have the facilities that they need whilst they wait for their second chance.

Anyone wishing to support the Build a Better Bark campaign, through donations or practical help, can contact Hilbrae Dog Rehoming Centre for more information or use the link here to donate: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jo-wrate-1?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

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Council set for £67m funding boost

FeatureTelford News

Essential services across Telford and Wrekin are set for a multi-million pound boost following a landmark government funding deal. The provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, announced this week, will see the council receive an extra £67 million over the next four years.

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Four arrested during Telford pub immigration raid

FeatureHighlightsTelford CrimeTelford News

Four individuals were arrested for immigration offences during the visit on 17 December. The group included two Indian nationals and two Nepalese nationals.

West Mercia Police supported Immigration Enforcement during the action. The Fire Service also attended the premises on the same evening and provided a list of required improvements.

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MP vows to fight Green Belt building plans

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People

The government announced new planning reforms that could see more homes built on Shropshire’s Green Belt. Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard spoke out in the House of Commons against the changes, which were unveiled by the Housing Minister just before the Christmas recess.

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Community spirit shines at Khushdil Day Centre

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People

Age UK Shropshire Telford & Wrekin is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year and has set itself an ambitious goal – to raise £75,000 to help tackle loneliness and social isolation among older people across the county.

Members of the charity’s Khushdil Day Centre, based at the Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Hadley, have enthusiastically risen to the challenge. Through a series of fundraising activities, they have already raised more than £1,900 to support older people throughout Shropshire.

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Wellington householder denied retrospective planning permission

FeatureHighlightsTelford News

A householder has been refused retrospective planning permission for work carried out on a house in Wellington after officials alleged that it had broken the rules.

Planners wrote that it is “considered disproportionate in size in relation to the existing host dwelling, being substantial in scale and massing”.

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Trolley problem on Telford housing estate shows signs of improvement

FeatureHighlightsTelford News

Abandoned shopping trolleys continue to be an issue in parts of Telford despite a parish council’s best efforts, a meeting heard.

Parish warden Glyn Johnson, who picks up abandoned trolleys from across the area, said that there has been a “big improvement” in the abandoned trolley situation but the “only downfall is kids moving them, but you are always going to get that”.

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Telford residents invited to shape future youth strategy

FeatureTelford NewsTelford PeopleTelford Talking Shop

Telford and Wrekin Council is inviting young people, parents, carers, and professionals to share their views on the priorities for the Borough’s new Youth Strategy.

The public consultation is a final check to ensure the priorities truly reflect local needs before the final version goes to Cabinet in January.

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Drop in sessions announced for HMO consultation

FeatureTelford NewsTelford Noticeboard

A number of drop-in sessions are being held where people can find out more about the proposals on:

Thursday 18 December at Meeting Point House from 4 to 6pm

Thursday 15 January at The Anstice from 5 to 7pm

Tuesday 27 January at Cosy Hall, Newport from 5 to 7pm

Friday 20 February at Ketley Community Centre from 5 to 7pm (focus on additional licensing consultation)

Thursday 5 March at Meeting Point House from 5 to 7pm (focus on additional licensing consultation)

People will be able to complete the consultations online at the drop-in sessions as devices will be available

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800-home scheme refused in unanimous vote

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People

A controversial proposal to build 800 homes on green belt land on the Shropshire/Wolverhampton border has been unanimously turned down.

The proposal has long been met with huge opposition from local residents through the Albrighton Development Action Group (ADAG).

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Donnington couple smashes target, raising over £61,000 for Severn Hospice

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People

A local couple from Donnington, are being hailed as community heroes after their latest fundraising effort pushed their lifetime total past an incredible milestone.

Ian and Donna have now raised an astonishing £61,000 for the Severn Hospice, thanks to years of dedication and community support.

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Schools join forces for a special celebration of music and community

FeatureHighlightsTelford NewsTelford People

Students from 13 different Shropshire schools came together to give a very special musical performance.

The Learning Community Trust hosted the first-ever performance of its LCT Choir at New Road Academy in Telford, describing it as a milestone in its mission to unite students through creativity and shared experiences.

Full gallery on the website.

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New kiosks and street hubs for Telford approved but this one is turned down

FeatureTelford News

Planners have refused permission for a high-tech BT Street Hub in Telford town centre, saying it would have an “unacceptable impact on highway and pedestrian safety”.

The street hub would have been on land next to Coffee #1 in Northfield Street, near the southern entrance to Telford Centre.

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Owners commit to AcoustaProducts future in Telford

FeatureTelford BusinessTelford News

The growth of engineering business AcoustaProducts is set to accelerate following its parent company’s long-term commitment to the firm’s manufacturing base on Stafford Park, Telford.

AcoustaProducts is now poised to prosper after its owners, Avon Group, announced it has acquired the freehold on the premises. The site will now be transformed into what is described as a “world-class” environment.

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Podcast project challenges misconceptions about college life

FeatureTelford NewsTelford People

Telford College is working with Telford & Wrekin Council on a pilot project designed to challenge popular misconceptions about life at a further education college.

Students from the college’s creative and music department have teamed up with the Telford & Wrekin Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) team to shoot a new video podcast.

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“Total saturation” a resident objects to food van site

FeatureTelfoodTelford BusinessTelford News

A church, college, residents and businesses in Wellington have united in uproar against a plan for more food trucks in a car park behind a town centre restaurant.

Residents say they are already suffering with people gathering, drinking and urinating in the street and fear the issues will be exacerbated if the plan relating to a car park behind the Carpathian Bear is approved.

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Couple told they can only sell their £500k house to agricultural worker

FeatureTelford News

A Telford couple have been told by a planning inspector that they can only sell their £500,000 home to an agricultural worker.

The sale particulars state that the house is a five bedroom, three bathroom “unique family home set within approximately three acres of paddocks and woodland.”

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Transicon’s Jennifer Hughes named among Britain’s Great 100 manufacturing leaders

FeatureTelford BusinessTelford News

Launched by the Made in Group, the Great 100 recognises individuals who demonstrate exceptional leadership and commitment to strengthening British industry.

Jennifer was selected for being a champion for the sector, for driving and supporting sustainability practices, investing in skills and demonstrating innovation and continuous improvement.

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Hospitals Trust secures £2 million for reducing wait times

FeatureTelford News

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH) has been named the most improved trust in the country for cutting planned care waiting times, securing £2 million in capital funding. Performance between April and September saw a significant 14% improvement in the 18-week referral to treatment figures. The national target aims for 92% of patients to receive treatment within this timeframe.

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MP’s Christmas card campaign to raise funds for cancer charity

FeatureTelford News

Shaun Davies, Member of Parliament for Telford, has this week unveiled his annual Christmas card, created in partnership with a group of 11 local businesses. 

No taxpayer funding has been used for the design, manufacturing or delivery of the card. The card is being delivered by Royal Mail.

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Telford targeted, but it can’t be that bad, can it?

FeatureHighlightsTelford NewsTelford Talking Shop

Andy Smith takes a look a worrying piece of news about Telford, but tries to put a brave face on it.

In a story by Harry Warner on Joe.co.uk headlined “All 23 UK towns and cities on Russian ‘target list’ revealed by ex-Russian Deputy PM“, Telford gets a mention, and I’m excited, proud and disappointed all at once.

First a bit of background.  An ex-Russian Deputy PM has p…

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