South Shropshire facts for kids
| South Shropshire District | |
 Shown within Shropshire non-metropolitan county |
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| Geography | |
| Status | District |
| HQ | Ludlow |
| ONS code | 39UF |
| History | |
| Origin | Clun and Bishop's Castle Rural District Ludlow Rural District |
| Created | 1974 |
| Abolished | 2009 |
| Succeeded by | Shropshire |
Quick facts for kids Politics |
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|---|---|
| Governance | South Shropshire District Council |
South Shropshire was a special area in England that had its own local government. It was located in the southwest part of Shropshire county. From 1974 to 2009, it was known as a "local government district." This means it had its own council that made decisions for the people living there.
South Shropshire was a very rural place. It was one of the most countryside-like districts in England. In 2001, about 40,410 people lived there. They were spread out over a large area of 1,027 square kilometers. This land included forests, mountains, open moorlands, hills, and farms.
This district shared a border with Powys in Wales. Both areas were quite similar in their economy, culture, and history. A big part of South Shropshire, about 65%, was part of the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This means the landscape there is protected because it's so beautiful.
Only two towns in the district, Ludlow and Church Stretton, had more than 3,000 people. Other smaller towns that were once part of the district included Clun, Bishop's Castle, Cleobury Mortimer, and Craven Arms.
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What Was South Shropshire Like?
South Shropshire was known for its beautiful natural scenery. It had many different types of landscapes. You could find tall hills, wide-open moorlands, and peaceful forests. The farms in the area grew various crops and raised animals.
The district's rural nature meant that towns were often far apart. People lived closer to nature and enjoyed outdoor activities. The protected Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was a major feature. It showed how special the environment was in this part of England.
How South Shropshire Was Created
The South Shropshire district was formed in 1974. This happened because of a law called the Local Government Act 1972. Before 1974, the area was made up of two smaller "rural districts." These were the Clun and Bishop's Castle Rural District and the Ludlow Rural District.
The new law decided to combine these two areas. This created one larger district called South Shropshire. The idea was to make local government more efficient. It helped manage services like roads, housing, and planning for the whole area.
The End of South Shropshire
South Shropshire and its local council stopped existing on April 1, 2009. This change was part of a bigger plan to update local government in England. It was called the 2009 structural changes to local government in England.
After South Shropshire was abolished, a new system took over. The entire county of Shropshire became one big "unitary authority." This new authority now handles all local government services for the whole county. This means there is no longer a separate South Shropshire district.
Images for kids
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The AONB is highlighted in Green.
