Watch: Plans for homes on Dairy Crest site set for go-ahead as demolition begins

The site in Crudgington has been empty since February following the closure of the factory, with demolition work starting last month.

Now developers want to build 111 houses on the site, including business space and a children's playground.

Planning officer Steven Drury has recommended councillors on Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee approve the plans when they meet in Telford on Wednesday next week.

The planning authority has received support from local groups and residents about the plans, with only two letters of objection.

Katrina Baker, parish clerk for Waters Upton Parish Council, said: "As a council we have been working closely with the applicant over the last 12 months to ensure the development is complimentary to our area.

"We have been very keen to support the plans because it is on a brownfield site, and we believe the scheme could offer the area a lot in terms of small businesses and jobs.

"We were also very pleased to see the amount of money that will be spent on education and highways.

"The parish council will be attending the planning committee next week to show our support for the plans."

At the peak of its operation, the Crudgington plant employed around 200 people producing spreads such as Clover, Argento and Willow, plus Country Life butter.

However, the company's operations in Shropshire have been significantly scaled back over the last two decades. In 1998, the company announced the closure of its Ellesmere creamery, with the loss of 330 jobs.

The Cathedral City cheese and Clover spread maker first announced plans to shut the factory in September 2009.

Since then it has been through a process of winding down its operation in the village, and completed that in the last three months of 2014.

However, the company is building a new £4 million innovation centre at Harper Adams, and around 40 members of staff have now moved over to the university near Newport.

If plans are approved, a section 106 agreement would see £838,145 put toward education facilities, highways improvements, transport costs and to adapt public space in the area.

Next week's planning committee will take place at The Whitehouse Hotel in Wellington at 6pm.