Proposal to build 22 homes next to Ellesmere beauty spot is thrown out

Government planning inspector Nigel Harrison has turned down an appeal by James Wild, of CMS JAW Ltd, to create the homes next to the Mere in Ellesmere.

Mr Harrison said the development would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area.

It follows a hearing attended by about 60 people earlier this month to discuss the plans for land at Swan Hill, which also included extending the existing cemetery.

Campaigner Kieron Williams said today: "We are very relieved."

Philip Moren, planning consultant for the applicant, said his client was considering his options following the decision.

The development would have destroyed "Shropshire's best natural habitat," campaigners said today.

People in Ellesmere said the Mere was the "heart and soul" of the town and said plans to build the homes at Swan Hill would have "defaced" an area which attracts tourists from across the country.

Mr Wild was today said to be considering his next move in the wake of the decision.

Campaigners had collected 2,000 signatures on a petition opposing the development and set up the Save Our Mere group.

In his ruling, Mr Harrison said it was the wrong location for the development and it would have been harmful to the area.

But he accepted the proposal would have provided a number of benefits, including helping Shropshire Council meet its shortfall of providing land for housing in the county.

Mr Harrison received about 200 letters of objection prior to the appeal hearing, which featured concerns about the impact the homes would have on tourism in Ellesmere.

Mr Wild had appealed to the inspector after Shropshire Council failed to make a decision on the scheme within the legal time-frame.

Ellesmere resident Rob McBride said: "It was all about the location. It would have been wrong to build so close to Shropshire's best natural habitat.

"The Mere defines Ellesmere people, it's in our heart and soul and we can't see it be defaced.

"This truly was a victory for the people of Ellesmere."

Plans also included extending the existing cemetery near the site.

Councillor Alan Clarke, mayor of Ellesmere, said: "It is the right decision. So much time and money is spent by people visiting the town to see the Mere.

"It does leave us with a problem with finding burial land. We have got enough for about the next 10 years so that is how long we have got to sort it."

In his report, Mr Harrison said: "I have found that the proposed development would be harmful to the character and appearance of the surrounding area in terms of its unacceptable impact on the setting of the Mere, the historic designated parkland of Cremorne Gardens, the street scene in Swan Hill, and the setting of the adjacent conservation area.

"The council does not currently have a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites and it is accepted that the provision of 22 dwellings now on a deliverable site would help to meet the need."

Philip Moren, planning consultant for the applicant, said: "We are currently considering the implications of the inspector's decision."