Council may fight bid for 130 homes in Ellesmere

Councillors last night said they wanted to be at the forefront of discussions on outline plans to create up to 130 homes on land south of The Hawthorns in Ellesmere.

The plans were narrowly given permission after a close vote on August 26 by Shropshire Council's north planning committee.

Councillor Geoff Elner raised concerns about traffic in the area at both the planning committee and at last night's meeting.

Councillor Elner said the traffic on the nearby Trimperley Street area was "hazardous" as visibility was poor and on an incline.

Developers have said they would provide financial support for improvements to the highways but there was no firm plans in place.

Councillor Elner said: "We still haven't been told how it will be done and what the highways are planning on doing.

"I would like us to invite the highways officers here to the town council so we can get our views across and find out what they are planning.

"Up 130 houses could mean at least 200 cars and it is going to be dangerous.

"We might be able to challenge the decision but we will need to have a look at how to do this."

Shropshire councillor Anne Hartley said: "I don't think there is a solution, and we really need to have a meeting to see what the plans are."

Councillors agreed to invite the highways officers and explore ways in which they could oppose the application.

Councillors also heard that people in the town could be lobbied on where they want future money in the town to be spent.

They were told they should ask the people of the town how they want money to be spent as part of Shropshire Council's Place Plan.

Shropshire councillor Anne Hartley said: "This is extremely important.

"We could get £1,000 for a consultation. I would suggest a survey of the whole town and distributing leaflets across the town.

"We can get feedback from the town and where they want to see Ellesmere going in the future."

Place Plans will be used by the council to identify local priorities and help the communities achieve these by identifying things like grants.

The council will also be looking at the plans to see where it should be investing as well.

Councillor Hartley said: "There will be money available and we need to make sure we don't miss out on it.

"It's our chance to have our say on how things will be done in the future."

Also at the meeting residents at Charlotte Row in the town complained about overgrown vegetation in the area.

Robin Roots told councillors: "There are branches coming out and they are scratching cars and people and it is a total disgrace.

"Some of the local people try to do there bit and look after it. But it's a total disgrace and we need it sorting."

Councillors agreed to write to Shropshire Council's highways department.