Telford News

News in Telford, Shropshire

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Housing plan for Newport site ‘used for fly-tipping’ withdrawn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Potential developers of a vacant site close to Newport town centre have withdrawn plans to build nine homes to consider options following council feedback.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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New SpongeBob movie is a letdown for me

HighlightsTelford EntertainmentTelford News

Jason Wright went to see the latest Spongebob film and has this suggestion for you…

I headed down to Southwater in Telford this weekend to see if the yellow sponge still has it. The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants tries to bring back the charm of my childhood, but…

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Shifnal HMO plan at dentist turned down

HighlightsTelford News

Shifnal Dental Care, which has been in the town since 1971, relocated to the former Odfellows Wine Bar in Market Place last year following a state-of-the-art refurbishment.

In October, practice owner Dr Maciej Wozniak submitted an application for permission to turn the first floor into an HMO.

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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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School heads on fact-finding visit to Telford College

HighlightsTelford News

Head teachers and leaders from local schools visited Telford College to learn more about potential placement opportunities they could offer to T Level students.

A delegation from the Learning Community Trust, which runs more than a dozen school sites across the county, visited the college’s Wellington campus to chat with students on business and accounting courses.

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Untidy land notice slapped on property in Telford

HighlightsTelford News

An enforcement notice has been slapped on a property in Telford after the borough council received a complaint about alleged untidy land.

The notice was served on the property in Beckbury Drive, Stirchley, on December 12 this year after Telford & Wrekin Council received a complaint on October 20.

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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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Telford College students serve up a festive feast

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford People

Students from Telford College laid on a festive food feast for members of a local community dining group.

Public uniformed services students joined forces with catering students to treat members of the Dawley Dinner group to a Christmas meal in the Orange Tree restaurant on the college’s Wellington campus.

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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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Little Wenlock bungalow plans rejected after residents object

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford People

“As a fourth-generation family from New Works, we have deep ties to the village and its heritage,” wrote one objector.

“Throughout our family’s lifetime, there has never been a demonstrated need for further development here.”

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Food bank donation in time for Christmas

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford People

Students at a Newport secondary school have made generous donations to the town’s food bank to help those in need in time for Christmas.

The pupils at Burton Borough School collected over 250 items, and Newport Food Bank manager of volunteers Matt Partridge visited the school to receive the donation.

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Newport swimmers give cracking performance at Christmas gala

HighlightsTelford NewsTelford Sport

Swimmers from Newport & District Amateur Swimming Club delivered outstanding performances at its inaugural Christmas Cracker open meet with 60 podium places. 

The talented squad of 34 competed in the event on 6 December at Wolverhampton Central Baths, showing their strength across all age groups and disciplines, taking home 23 gold, 15 silver and 22 bronze medals.

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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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ANPR Cameras approved at KFC

HighlightsTelford News

A popular Telford car park’s automatic number plate cameras and warning signs finally have planning permission after six years without consent.

Planners have granted retrospective planning permission for two ANPR cameras and 14 warning signs near the KFC and Starbucks at Trench Lock, in Hadley, that were installed on October 9, 2019.

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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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Spotlight on West Mercia Police’s performance

Telford CrimeTelford News

While there was a decrease in some specific offences—including a 26% drop in business and community burglary, 12% reduction in vehicle offences and an 8% reduction in shoplifting—the overall rise is noted in the data.

Tackling crime and supporting victims is a core priority for the PCC. The figures show victim satisfaction rates remain largely positive, indicating progress in support services.

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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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“I no longer feel safe walking in the street”

HighlightsTelford News

A Telford resident has told planners how unsafe they feel with the way the area around their home has changed over the last 12 years.

The woman from Dudmaston in Hollinswood was responding to a council consultation over a care company’s plan to change a seven-bedroom house in Telford into a children’s home.

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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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New homes ready in St Georges regeneration project

HighlightsTelford News

Nuplace tenants are beginning to move into new homes in St Georges as a major regeneration project.

The brand new new homes for private rent starting at £900 per month, located at the Gower, are now ready for occupation.

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