Housing plans met with village protest

Campaigners against the proposed housing development off Old Mapsis Way have claimed it would result in the loss of greenfield space.

It comes after Elizabeth Burton altered and resubmitted plans to build 10 homes on the site after members of a Shropshire Council planning committee refused permission for the development last month.

A planning statement in support of the bid criticised the content of the council's report on the first application, claiming it had "grossly over-stated" the level of community opposition.

But nearly a dozen residents have now objected to the revised bid for 10 homes and one of the objectors Patricia Broad has started a petition against the development.

Mrs Broad said in her letter of objection that she believed the council had taken the right decision in rejecting the earlier application and questioned the claim in a letter from the developer that the level of public opposition had been over-stated.

Mrs Broad said: "The council made the correct decision taking into consideration the Oswestry borough local plan and adopted core strategy.

"The letter also accused the council of grossly over stating the opposition. The first application had only three letters in support, all received after the closing date.

"The developer is very wrong in her assumption that there is no opposition.

"There is a petition signed by over 100 residents of Morda who are very concerned about the loss of greenfield space in and around the village.

"Having viewed the revised plans the alteration from the original application is infinitesimal and is not worthy of consideration."

A planning statement on behalf of the applicant said the development would address a shortfall in housing and the application aims to deliver a portion of housing, including affordable, to help address the shortfall.

The plans would see two of the 10 houses being built as affordable homes.

The statement added that changes had been made to the initial plans over concern that one of the proposed homes was close to the rear boundary of an existing house.

Shropshire Council hopes to determine the bid by December 24.

The original plans were refused after council planners ruled the site was outside the limit of development and previously defined development boundary for the settlement of Morda.

The council said the plans went against the wishes of the community who did not want to see further residential development in the village.

Objections were received from several neighbours and from Oswestry Rural Parish Council.