Village homes plan condemned by residents

Two planning applications have been submitted for Church Road in Lilleshall.

One puts forward plans for up to seven homes and two bungalows on the site, while the second earmarks it for 12 homes and three bungalows.

Residents in Lilleshall say they are not against development, but brownfield sites should be built on ahead of green fields.

They said the plans are too large and unsuitable for the site and would take over fields opposite the grade I listed St Michael's & All Angels Norman church and its churchyard.

Concerns are also raised about extra traffic on the village's already narrow roads, on which cars have difficulty passing.

Local resident and wildlife photographer Dave Farrar, said: "This is not just about local residents but about the whole community.

"The potential loss of hedgerows, medieval land patterns, ancient stone walls and the cultural relationship of the village, the Abbey and the farmland once gone would be gone forever and the loss is to the whole community of Lilleshall, Muxton and Donnington whose residents regularly walk and cycle and bring their family here.

"And if buses have to negotiate yet more difficult passing places we are worried that they may simply divert their much valued service permanently.

"The plans board need to understand the real impact of these applications.

"It's their heritage too and the safety of their residents that is at stake.

The plans will be decided by Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee later this year.

Earlier this week, residents of the nearby Breton Park retirement park met Telford & Wrekin Council leader Kuldip Sahota and other senior councillors and officers to voice their concerns over sites outlined for development in the council's Shaping Places Plan.

Their concerns centre on proposals to build 106 houses in Wellington Road, Donnington, another 120 at Donnington Farm, and 615 on land south of the A518 in Donnington.

The developments are outlined in the council's Shaping Places document, a blueprint aimed at increasing the number of homes in Telford & Wrekin to meet Government targets.

The plans are still under consultation.