Plans to build homes on former school site near Ludlow

Developers have submitted a blueprint to put up four properties at the site at Caynham, near Ludlow, which also includes a children's play area.

But the village's parish council and a handful of villagers have objected to the scheme because they say it will lead to the loss of their only open space for youngsters to play in.

The primary school has been closed since 2011 and the site has been derelict since then.

It was the Bishop Hooper School, which was formed when Ashford Carbonell and Caynham primary schools merged in 2009.

But the site became surplus to requirements when a new £3 million site opened to house the pupils of both schools in Ashford Carbonell.

Original plans to build six homes on the site attracted objections from the parish council and 21 villagers.

The plans have since been scaled down by the applicants, who own the land, but the parish council is still opposed and Shropshire Council has received seven further individual letters of objection.

Objectors say it would lead to the loss of the playing field and claim homes are not needed in the village.

But a report prepared by planning officers, due to go before Shropshire Council's planning committee, recommends approval of the application.

It says: "Caynham has a population of around 154 and an average population of under 16 year olds.

"There is no other play area or playing field for children.

"The site would be difficult to replace.

"There is a problem in that the site is in private ownership and at the present time there are no public funds available to purchase the land for continued recreational use and the ongoing maintenance costs.

"The loss of the open space is very regrettable and deprives the village of a community facility. It is, however, in private ownership and is unusable in its present overgrown condition.

"It is concluded that residential development on this site would be sustainable and the balance weighs in favour of granting planning permission."

A final decision will be taken by Shropshire Council's south planning committee when it meets from 2pm in the Shrewsbury Room at Shirehall on Tuesday.

Members of the public are welcome to attend.