Homes scheme near Shrewsbury 'will help young families'
A controversial affordable housing development which it is feared could swallow up a stretch of countryside between Shrewsbury and Bayston Hill will enable young families to stay in their area, developers have said.
Officials at Wrekin Housing Trust have said the 33 homes planned for land to the west of Mary Webb Road, between Meole Brace and Bayston Hill, would help young people looking to get on the housing ladder in Shropshire.
The trust got permission for the homes from Shropshire Council last month, despite 200 people signing a petition against the plans over concerns it will lead to Bayston Hill being absorbed into Shrewsbury and losing its countryside and character.
Jean Teichmann, head of development at the trust, said: "It's just what is needed in the area to address the growing demand for affordable housing and prevent young families moving away from the area."
She added the trust has agreed to also pay for work to the footpath on the site, so that local improvements will be made as part of the development work.
"The site will incorporate an area for play as requested by local residents," she said.
The development will be a mixture of two and three-bedroom houses, 23 of which will be for affordable rent. The remainder will be for shared ownership.
At a meeting in March, Bayston Hill Parish Council said the proposals ran contrary to the parish plan which states the gap between the village and Shrewsbury should be protected. But the plan was voted through by members of Shropshire Council's central planning committee.
