Villagers raise traffic fears over bid to store 1,800 cars on ex-RAF land near Telford

Greenhous Group, which runs car dealerships across the country, wants to redevelop the 34-acre Angel Centre, near High Ercall, to store 1,800 vehicles and prepare them for sale.

Bosses say the development will create up to 50 jobs – but residents are concerned about the impact of lorries transporting the cars to and from the site on narrow country roads.

The planning application was discussed at a meeting of Ercall Magna parish council on Tuesday night at High Ercall Village Hall.

The parish council can make a recommendation to either approve or reject the plans before a final decision is made by Telford & Wrekin Council.

But parish council chairman Ray Wickson said members had opted to defer their recommendation to a later date after hearing the concerns from residents.

He said: "There were over 100 people there, including people from Longden-on-Tern. Their biggest concern is lorries transporting cars around the narrow roads onto the site

"We decided to defer the decision because of issues raised by the residents of both Longden-on-Tern and High Ercall.

"The public were very, very good, had intelligent conversations and were obviously very well-informed.

I think there probably is a solution if all parties involved can get around a table if you like, and come to a suitable solution that suits everybody. Is it likely? I think it is, yes."

Residents have also previously expressed concerns about the plans. David Bates, who lives in Walton, said: "Many local residents have objected as they consider this is unacceptable in this rural area due to the noise and air pollution impact of passing car transporters.

"Local residents in and around High Ercall, Osbaston and Walton are concerned at the cumulative visual impact of the possibility of a solar farm of 257 acres, and car storage of 34 acres on adjacent sites."

Mr Walton added that residents are concerned about plans to install a traffic lights on Walton Bend, and about other routes that have been considered for the transporters to use.

He said: "Road safety is a real concern for residents. Residents hope that the planning officers and the planning committee will fully address traffic routing in order that transporters are prevented from using unsuitable country lanes and also the permitted hours of work."

The site is also close to land proposed for a 257-acre solar farm, in the hamlet of Obaston, and residents say that these two proposals together will change the nature of the area.

Greenhous Ltd said it had no comment to make at this stage. Bosses have previously said they would work with the local authority and highways to mitigate concerns.