Hundreds sign petition against plan for 110 homes on Telford greenfield site
More than 500 people have signed a petition against plans to build 110 homes on fields in Telford.
The petition against Gladman Developments' application to build the dwellings off Muxton Lane has been presented to Telford & Wrekin Council, which is due to make a decision on the plans this month.
Parish councillors at Lilleshall, Donnington and Muxton Parish Council have already "strongly objected" to the plans, and Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard has given the objectors his full support.
He said: "Muxton's green fields should be protected, not exploited. The council needs to listen to local peoples' views – not ignore them.
"I object in the strongest possible terms and have made my views known to the the council's leadership."
The council discussed the plans in September, but put their decision on hold and asked Gladman to provide more details.
Muxton residents Phil Loughlin and Jim Simmons handed over the petition at Addenbrooke House this week.
They want Telford & Wrekin Council to use previously-developed brownfield sites before allowing green fields to be built over.
Jim Simmons, 53, of Muxton Lane, said: "Across Telford & Wrekin there are 910 brownfield sites identified by the council and this is enough to cater for 30,000 housing plots, which is more than enough to cater for the borough's housing needs for years to come. This proposal is targeting rural land."
Mr Loughlin, 52, of Lytham Green, said: "The point of handing the petition over is to make the council aware that the Gladman proposal is unpopular and the council needs to wake up to that fact.
If the proposal is accepted there will be a backlash."
Mr Pritchard raised the issue of greenfield development in the House of Commons earlier this week.
Planning minister Brandon Lewis said the Government had published further guidance "to help councils to appreciate that green belt development should be an absolute last resort and that brownfield sites should always be used first".
Russell Griffin, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said it was hoped that planners would make a decision on the application on November 26.
