Shropshire county council has granted outline planning permission to developers Harworth Group to turn the 141-hectare site of Ironbridge's former power station into a place for 1000 new homes plus a primary school and medical centre.

The approval was based upon the development having 10% of affordable homes instead of the initial 5% that was planned.

David Cockroft, the group's Midlands director¸ said: "Our master plan will transform this former industrial site into a sustainable new community, providing additional homes, jobs and infrastructure for local people.

"We have worked with stakeholders every step of the way to ensure this is a long-term development that the community can be proud of, and one that is well connected to the existing local network of roads, footpaths and open spaces that surround the site."

The scheme will include a retirement village, shops, a rail link, business, sports and leisure sites. Harworth has agreed to pay £913,750 for a new medical centre and increase funds for road improvements by £350,000.

Construction of the first phase of the development is expected to begin early next year with Harworth acting as the master planner selling serviced residential parcels to house builders.