Plans for nearly 350 new homes in north Shropshire are backed

About 100 homes will be built off Tarporley Road in Whitchurch, while outline proposals for several other developments - including building 130 houses on land south of The Hawthorns in Ellesmere - have also been backed.

Other schemes given backing by members of Shropshire Council's north planning committee yesterday include 57 homes on land south of Chester Road in Whitchurch, 30 homes and a medical centre off Milford Road in Baschurch, and 30 homes near Shrewsbury Road in Hadnall.

Developers insist the new homes will help Shropshire Council meet its shortfall in supplying land for new homes in the county.

But the applications have sparked concerns from residents and councillors in regards to the impacts they will have on the environment and infrastructure in the towns and villages.

The plans for Ellesmere have angered residents who say it is too many homes for a small market town to deal with.

Councillors are already supporting plans for a large development of 250 homes, a leisure complex and hotel at the Wharf site near the canal in the town, and say no other large builds are needed.

Geoff Elner of Ellesmere Town Council raised access concerns over traffic on the Trimpley Street area.

He said: "Vehicles struggle to see oncoming traffic because it is on an incline.

"We are afraid of any more traffic down these roads because eventually there will be an accident."

But Mark Perry, planning officer for Shropshire Council, said the issues related more to congestion than safety.

The plans for 100 homes off Tarporley Road in Whitchurch had sparked concerns of overcrowding and access.

But applicant David Wilson Homes said it will provide much needed housing within reach of local amenities and will improve the appearance of the site which is currently a farm. The plans were unanimously supported, despite concerns raised over electricity supply in the area.

The green light has also been given for the outline plans for 30 homes and a medical centre off Milford Road in Baschurch.

Tim Rogers, planning manager said the development had been supported by the parish council although they had received public opposition for the plans.

Councillor Nicholas Bardsley said Baschurch is expanding and added he felt making a provision for a future medical centre was sensible forward planning.