Petition against Wem housing plan

More than 540 people have signed a petition opposing controversial plans for a housing development in a north Shropshire town.

Residents in Wem have hit out at the plans to create 22 homes in Mill Street, opposite the Wem Mill development. Civic leaders have meanwhile likened the proposed development to an "army barracks".

The criticism comes after Millhouse Developments lodged plans with Shropshire Council.

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

A statement in support of its bid 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."

But residents and civic leaders claim the development would lead to the loss of a treasured green space in the town.

Town councillor Peggy Carson said today: "We got 542 signatures in total. People feel strongly about this because it has only taken a week or so for that many people to sign it.

"People living nearby say they like it as it is, because it's a wild area and they see lots of wildlife down there. They want it left as it is."

The site lies opposite Wem Mill, a grade II listed building, recently transformed into 36 apartments.

Mayor Mandy Meakin said she had signed the petition because the plans represented "over-development" of the site, which sits on one of the main approaches to Wem town centre.

Residents had also raised fears of increased traffic and lack of parking.

The petition was handed in to Shropshire Council planning officials earlier this week.

By Tom Johannsen