NEWSROOM

When Cabinet meets next week, Thursday 15 October 2026, members will be asked to approve the addition of 14 new Green Guarantee sites, extensions to two existing sites and a boundary amendment to another. If approved, this would increase the total number of Green Guarantee sites across the Borough from 305 to 319. 

The proposals would secure a further 16.21 hectares of council-owned green space, taking the total area protected under the scheme to 573 hectares, equivalent to more than 800 Premier League football pitches.

The proposals include sites in:

• Apley (Manchester Drive boundary amendment) 
• Donnington (Liz Clare Orchard)
• Ercall Magna (Crudgington Play Area and Edgmond Play Area extension)
• Hadley and Leegomery (Haybridge Avenue Play Area, John Smart Village Green and HLC Playing Fields)
• Haygate and Park (Fowler Close and Rothswaite)
• Horsehay and Lightmoor (Spring Village Play Area and Spring Village Paddock)
• Lawley (Lawley Village Green and Lawley Play Area)
• Muxton (Donnington Wood Way)
• Newport (land south of Beechfields Way extension)
• The Nedge (Stirchley BMX Track)
• The Gorge (Riverside Avenue) 

The Green Guarantee provides an extra layer of protection for council-owned green spaces that are important to local communities. Sites included within the scheme are safeguarded from future development or disposal, helping to ensure they remain available for recreation, nature, biodiversity and wellbeing for generations to come.

Telford and Wrekin is widely recognised for its extensive green network, with around 90 per cent of the Borough made up of green infrastructure, including parks, woodlands, open spaces, wildlife habitats and natural corridors.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability, said:

"Telford and Wrekin already benefits from an extensive network of green spaces that make a real difference to people's everyday lives.

"We were incredibly proud to be recognised recently as the best place in England to raise a family and, separately, as the UK's best location for outdoor play. Those achievements reflect the importance of having high-quality parks, play areas and green spaces that are accessible to local communities.

"These proposals would help ensure that even more of the spaces valued by residents are protected for future generations, while continuing to support the health, wellbeing and environmental benefits they provide today.

"As the Borough continues to grow, it's important that we strike the right balance between meeting development needs and safeguarding the green spaces that help make Telford and Wrekin such an attractive place to live, work and visit."

The Green Guarantee forms part of the Council's wider commitment to protecting and enhancing accessible green space across the Borough. Subject to Cabinet approval, the latest additions would take the total area protected under the scheme to 573 hectares, equivalent to more than 800 Premier League football pitches across 319 sites.

Subject to Cabinet approval, the declaration process for the new sites will be completed later this year.