Scaled back plans for 16 houses on Shrewsbury council site

Fresh scaled-down plans to demolish former council offices in Shrewsbury to make way for new housing have been submitted, despite the concerns of neighbours.

Shropshire Housing Group has tabled proposals to build 16 new homes on the site of Besford House in Trinity Street, Belle Vue.

It follows two public consultations with residents where the original plan for 22 properties was scaled down after concerns it was overdevelopment of the site.

Agents Base Architecture & Design, on behalf of the applicants, say the homes plan will go some way to help meet housing needs in the county.

But many residents are against the idea, and say the already narrow streets will see a rise in congestion.

As part of the plans Besford House would be bulldozed and two garages with associated parking and access also installed.

In a consultation before the plans were submitted one resident said: "It will lead to overdevelopment and loss of green, not to mention possible loss of parking spaces, which makes this not good enough."

Another resident said: "We find it seriously hard to believe you are considering 16 homes on this site. It is far too many – it is too small a space and the surrounding area is too cramped with insufficient access."

The proposals are now out to formal consultation and Shropshire Council planners aim to decide on the plans by the middle of July.