Go-ahead for 100 new Shropshire houses despite concerns

Proposals to build 65 homes in Morda, near Oswestry, 31 in Whitchurch and five in Cockshutt, near Ellesmere, have been approved by Shropshire Council's North Planning Committee.

A full planning application submitted by David Wilson Homes and Jennings Estates to build 65 homes on land west of Morda Bank was approved at a meeting in Shirehall yesterday.

The decision was made despite more than 100 letters of concerns from residents and objections from Oswestry Rural Parish Council.

Concerns were raised that it would lead to the over development of Morda, would put extra pressure on services such as the local school, and impact on traffic.

But committee members went with the planning officers' recommendation to grant delegated powers to the planning manager to approve the scheme subject to conditions.

Councillor Martin Bennett said: "The site can take some development."

But Councillor David Lloyd said: "There is a serious question mark over sustainability and the village is limited with local services."

A separate application, which could see 31 houses built on land east of Wrexham Road, Whitchurch, was also approved despite concerns being raised about excess traffic.

At a meeting on June 3, councillors said they were minded to reject the outline application put forward by Leith Planning Investments.

Councillors said they were concerned that new roads would make an already hazardous road even more dangerous with more than one access point, despite the highways officer not having any objections.

Committee members said they needed evidence of what improvements could be made to Wrexham Road before they could accept, which they were told about and welcomed yesterday.

The applicant said it would give funding to improve the visibility for access for the site on to Wrexham Road.

Councillors were asked to determine whether the principle of developing on the site was acceptable or not and were told the number of houses to be built could change.

Councillor Gerald Dakin said: "I think it will be of great benefit to traffic users on that road.

"It is a very pleasant greenfield site and it will take some houses there."

But Councillor Peggy Mullock said: "We don't need housing down that end. The entrance on that part of the road still gives me concern."

Meanwhile, an outline application to build five homes on last east of Shrewsbury Road in Cockshutt was approved despite concerns that it is outside the development boundary.

Councillor David Minnery said: "I haven't found a reason to object to this that would stand up at an appeal."