Housing approval a blow for campaigners

Members of Selattyn and Gobowen Parish Council objected to two separate applications for housing in the village.

Several members of the public also objected to the proposals while others wrote in to support them. One of the applications, for six homes in Gyrn Road, was rejected by Shropshire councillors at a meeting on Tuesday but the other bid for nine homes at The Old Rectory was approved.

Councillor David Lloyd, who represents the area on Shropshire Council, told Wednesday's meeting of the parish council that he was impressed by the way the public had got involved in the planning process despite the end result.

He said many people had turned out in the village when the planning committee visited the area to see the sites for themselves.

Councillor Lloyd said: "My thanks go to the local campaigners. I was so grateful people had taken the trouble to turn out to show the genuine public interest.

"There was so many you could have almost conducted a choir. I was disappointed that we did not win the second one."

Parish councillor Steve West-Wynn said he was disappointed at the outcome of the planning talks. He said: "If we had to keep one, it was the one that was passed, but I was slightly disappointed that either of them went through."

I was relieved the one in Gyrn Road went, because that was an abysmal site."

Meanwhile, work will be carried out at the village's Hengoed cemetery to reduce the risk of flooding, councillors heard. One grave was left covered in water after the recent wet weather.

The parish council is responsible for the running of the cemetery. Parish clerk Penny O'Hagan told councillors at Wednesday's meeting: "It is in the older part of the cemetery.

"Historically there has always been standing water there. We are going to have a look in the drier months to see if we can build up the soil."

The councillors also heard the wet weather had taken its toll on the village play park.

Concerns about the state of the park, off St Martins Road, were raised during the public participation part of the meeting.

Councillors were told the ground under the swings was particularly waterlogged.

Councillor Sue Crow said the area had been prone to problems because of the groundwater level. Mrs O'Hagan added the problem was particularly bad because of the recent wet weather.