Wem could get 1,000 new homes

One thousand homes could be built in Wem if developers fork out to fund vital new infrastructure, including a new link road bypassing the town centre.

Wem Town Council revealed its wish-list for the town over the next 16 years at a special meeting last night.

Councillors renewed calls for a road linking the B5063 Shawbury Road and B5065 Soulton Road, saying it would open up potential land for new housing and employment land while reducing heavy traffic using the town centre.

Other ambitions include extra school places to cope with an influx of young families, building 1,000 new homes, new drains, a new hotel, improved broadband, health facilities and more recreation areas.

But Councillor Chris Mellings revealed highways chiefs have no plans to use public money to build the road, calling it "aspirational".

Councillor Pauline Dee said: "One way we are going to get that is if all the developers put their hands in their pockets otherwise development is not going to be viable on the east side of town."

The council voted in favour of a target of building 1,000 new homes and developing the maximum amount of employment land.

Members called on Shropshire Council to increase the use of section 106 agreements, where developers fund community facilities as a condition of permission.

The meeting also heard a link road would slash the number of vehicles using the town's level crossing, said to be the sixth most abused in Britain.

The views of the town council were being sought as part of Shropshire Council's ongoing consultation into a planning blueprint that will help shape the development of Shropshire through until 2026.