Shropshire councillors delay vote on plans for three homes
Councillors have delayed making a decision on whether to approve plans to create three homes in a Shropshire village after fears were raised about drainage issues.
Shropshire Council's North Planning Committee deferred two separate applications to create the homes in Welshampton, near Ellesmere, at its meeting in Shirehall yesterday.
Outline applications have been submitted to create two homes on land west of Stock Lane and one home on land adjacent to Oakleigh Farm.
At yesterday's meeting concerns were raised about Welshampton not having a mains sewage system as well as the number of applications being proposed for the village.
Committee members agreed it would be fair to defer both items for a future meeting until they received more information about the issues that were raised.
The application for two homes was objected to by Welshampton Parish Council after concerns were raised it fell outside the proposed development boundary and the impacts it would have on local infrastructure.
Speaking on behalf of the parish council at the meeting, Councillor Chris Symes said: "People still want development but this is outside the development boundary.
"This is the first of five applications coming through – that's 30 houses in total and a 30 per cent increase in Welshampton.
"Sewage and drainage are big issues in Welshampton."
Brian Williams, Shropshire Councillor for The Meres, said: "Any new properties have to provide their own drainage.
"Local knowledge shows that the area floods frequently."
Councillor David Minnery, committee member, said: "There is a potential danger of drainage and we want to be sure people in Welshampton are not put at risk of something going on.
"I am happy to defer until a report is available."
Justin Stevenson, the agent speaking on behalf of the applicant, said he believed the site was in a sustainable location and the ecology issues raised were being addressed.
Meanwhile, the application for one property was also objected to by the parish council based on similar reasons.
Councillor Williams said it was "logical" to defer both applications rather than make a final decision on one and not the other.
