Wem homes plan 'like army barracks'

A proposed housing development in north Shropshire has been likened to an "army barracks" by campaigners who have gathered a 400-name petition objecting to plans in just over a week.

Residents in Wem have hit out at the plans to create 22 new homes on a major route into the town.

Millhouse Developments has submitted proposals to Shropshire Council to build the properties on land off Mill Street.

But residents started the petition due to fears about flooding, over-development, lack of car parking and increased traffic,

Councillor Mandy Meakin, mayor of Wem, said: "The town council has officially objected to plans because we feel the development would constitute substantial overdevelopment on one of the major approaches into Wem.

"It would be visually intrusive on the local landscape and there are concerns that such a development could result in the flooding of existing nearby properties.

"Concerns have also been raised over the lack of car parking spaces, the increase in traffic, and that the architect's designs look more like army barracks.

"I have already signed the petition and expect quite a few people to do the same."

The scheme is for a mixture of nine town houses and 13 apartments in a three-story terraced block.

The site lies opposite Wem Mill, a Grade II-Listed building which has recently been transformed into 36 apartments.

In a report on behalf of the applicant, it says: "There is an opportunity here to create a development which will provide a proper entrance to the town and provide order and maintenance to the area which it is currently lacking."