U-turn on houses for Shropshire beauty spots
Controversial housing plans near two Shropshire beauty spots have been largely scrapped following a major public outcry.
Two of the three proposed housing sites in the shadow of Oswestry's ancient hillfort have been abandoned and plans for houses and businesses on the side of Caer Caradoc hill, near Church Stretton, have been called off after the town council backed by local residents put alternative sites for development forward.
Council bosses made the last-minute alterations to their draft SAMDev strategic plan guiding future housing developments around Shropshire at a meeting at Shirehall yesterday. But they warned the changes could be challenged by housing developers.
Councillor Mal Price, portfolio holder for housing, announced major changes to the controversial Oswestry hillfort plans for almost 200 homes following a major public outcry, with more than 8,000 people signing a petition against the proposals.
He announced the potential Jasmine Gardens and Oldport Farm developments were being dropped from the SAMDev document.
But the Whittington Road site has still been included. He said he believed the change represented a "fair compromise", but warned the move would be open to challenge from developers.
He said local, national and even international objections had been submitted against the plan.
He also said he would be taking up the recommendation of Church Stretton Town Council to pursue alternative sites for 85 homes and employment land in Shrewsbury Road and Leasowes instead of the New House Farm development near Caer Caradoc.
More than 1,000 people had been said they were against the plan during a consultation exercise, with 41 people in favour.
