Developer appeals 110 homes refusal on green land near Telford

Gladman Developments were refused outline planning permission to put up 110 homes on land at Muxton Lane in Muxton in December last year after hundreds signed a petition opposing it.

But the developer has since lodged an appeal against the decision – and a government public inquiry will start in January next year, a meeting will be told this week.

Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee will be given an update on the application tomorrow night. It is on the agenda because the authority has identified it has an adequate supply of housing land for five years since the application was determined – something that it will use to argue the case when it comes to appeal.

A report due to go before the committee says: "Since the refusal of the planning application in December 2014, there have been several changes that are material considerations to the forthcoming appeal inquiry and to the council's case.

"Namely the announcement that the council has a housing land supply in excess of five years and the publication of the draft Telford & Wrekin Local Plan. It is considered appropriate that the reasons for refusal, and the approach that the council takes in defending the appeal, reflect those changes.

"The site lies in countryside outside the built up area of Telford where new development is to be controlled.

"The development of this site on Muxton Lane would result in an undesirable encroachment into the surrounding countryside and be detrimental by reducing the visual and physical separation and openness between the two settlements of Telford and the village of Lilleshall.

"The development is located along a quiet rural lane without direct access to public transport and other social and community facilities, and would result in an unsustainable form of development."

Back in December, the proposals for the four fields between Muxton and Lilleshall were deemed to be detrimental to the area at a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee.

Members of the committee voted unanimously to reject the plans put forward by Gladman Developments – to the delight of more than 80 campaigners who packed out the public gallery to hear the debate. The campaigners carried signs into the hall at the Whitehouse Hotel in Wellington where the meeting was held and wore T-shirts urging councillors to "protect Muxton".