Hundreds sign petition over Ellesmere housing plans

More than 1,700 people have signed a petition in two days opposing plans for more than 20 homes near a beauty spot in Ellesmere.

Campaigners protesting against the potential development, which would be built near the Mere, collected the signatures during the town's recent food and drink festival. And they intend to collect more at Ellesmere Triathlon on Sunday, which is expected to bring 650 people into the town.

The proposals earmarked for land between Swan Hill and the cemetery form part of Shropshire Council's new planning policy, the Site Allocations and Management of Development Plan – or SAMDev.

The deal to build 22 homes by The Mere could see developers provide an adjoining strip of land for a much-needed expansion of the cemetery.

But at a meeting of Ellesmere Parish's Joint Burial Committee on Monday residents turned out to protest against the plans.

Kieron Williams, leading the Save Our Mere campaign, said: "It was a fairly one-sided affair, there were about 20 people there, four people spoke.

"The proximity of this development to the Mere is ridiculous, 22 houses on there will be overpowering, it is not a big field."

Last month more than 100 residents packed a heated public meeting to demand the controversial proposals are scrapped.

Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council member for Ellesmere, said she had heard residents 'loud and clear' and would see to it that the land is not put forward for development.

Visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/samdev to view the proposed sites.