Controversial Wem homes scheme opposed
Revised plans for a controversial housing development in Wem have been opposed by councillors.
Shropshire Council's north planning committee voted to refuse the application to create 22 homes by Wem's historic mill at a meeting yesterday.
The Millhouse Group submitted the proposal to create nine town houses and 13 apartments off Mill Street – nine months after having a similar scheme thrown out by the council.
During public consultation for the resubmitted plans Shropshire Council received two petitions featuring 211 signatures from people opposed to the development,
Seventeen letters were sent from residents who said there is no need for an additional housing development in Wem, there are other sites which are more suitable and it will increase the risk of flooding.
Wem Town Council also objected to the scheme after raising fears of pollution, traffic, flooding and the design and appearance of the site. The majority of the planning committee went against planning officers' recommendations and refused the application. Officers will now bring the reasons for refusal which match planning policy before the committee at its next meeting.
Pauline Dee, Shropshire Councillor for Wem, said: "It will be a totally overdeveloped site. It's taking away an historic part of the town. Nobody locally would purchase these."
Chris Mellings, Shropshire Councillor for Wem, said: "Is there a benefit? I don't think there is.
"There are issues with climate change and higher rainfall. It will be too late once the development is built."
Resident Tom Edwards said: "This is overbearing and completely out of keeping with this market town."
Connie Granger, mayor of Wem, said: "There are far more suitable sites within the town. The town council continue to be concerned with the flood risk."
The previous scheme sparked a 700-name petition from concerned residents and objections from Wem Town Council. The application was refused by the unitary authority because of fears of flooding.
