Scaled back housebuilding plans still met with objections from Shropshire residents

People in Wem have objected to plans to create 50 homes on land between Aston Road and Church Lane because of fears over the impact on traffic.

It comes despite the applicants reducing the number of homes to be built on the site from 75.

The agent, Berrys, said it has also removed access onto Church Lane and increased the amount of open space as part of the amended scheme.

Residents and councillors have raised concerns that the area will not be able to accommodate extra traffic, the development is "out of place" in the town and it could increase the risk of flooding.

Members of Wem Town Council's planning and transport committee met recently to discuss the amended plans.

Jane Drummond, clerk to the council, said: "The chairman explained this application had been amended to reduce the indicative number of dwellings and to have only one access off Aston Road.

"There was some discussion and considerable concern expressed about the traffic issues and the need for improvements to the infrastructure.

"Mention was made of a recent government committee report regarding the need to link development with improvements to the infrastructure.

"It was resolved to confirm the town council's original strong objections to this application and mention be made of the government committee report."

Commenting on Shropshire Council's website, resident Rowland Lee said: "The amended proposals are even more ridiculous than the original - reducing the number of properties makes Aston Road even busier and the traffic jams can only get worse.

"People leaving this site, including the heavy development traffic, will be going into Wem rather than going in the direction of Aston.

"The area is very waterlogged right now, even though the site owners have dug out ditches on the boundary which is overflowing into gardens on Soulton Crescent.

"This type of development attracts mostly younger couples with small children and that means more children for school. Where, when the present schools are already at capacity and the doctors are oversubscribed, will they all go?"

Wem Rural Parish Council also objected to the original proposal due to fears about extra traffic and access.

Amy Henson, planning consultant from Berrys, said: "The site area has been reduced dramatically to half the original size and the access out onto Church Lane removed to a single access point off Aston Road.

"We believe the changes are in line with the guidance that has been given. I hope that officers will now be able to support the amended scheme."

An outline application for the scheme has been submitted to Shropshire Council.