Bucknell housing plans a step closer

Plans to build 30 homes on a south Shropshire coal and timber yard near railway sidings have moved a step closer.

Outline planning permission was granted for the proposal at Bucknell, near Craven Arms, by Shropshire Council's south planning committee yesterday.

Andrew Dixon, agent for applicants Alfa Aggregates Limited and B & J Davies Limited, said: "It's taken 16 years to get that far."

Councillor Nigel Hartin, who lives in the village, said: "I'm keen to see this area developed. There has been a long history of proposals coming forward and not going ahead."

Meanwhile, ambitious £500,000 plans to double the size of a south Shropshire supermarket were also given the go-ahead at the meeting despite objections from residents.

Paul Delves, from Harry Tuffins, had applied to increase storage space at the chain's Bishop's Castle branch in Church Street, provide additional retail space for the supermarket and increase the number of parking spaces by 13.

The application for full planning permission was granted unanimously.

Bishop's Castle Town Council and Bishop's Castle Civic Society had objected to the scheme, saying that extended opening hours included in the proposals would cause disruption for people living nearby.