Plans for 40 homes in north Shropshire given green light despite opposition

Members of Shropshire Council's north planning committee gave the green light to the proposals for a site off the A49 in Hadnall.

Residents in Hadnall have recently been overwhelmed with new homes and could potentially see 124 homes given the go-ahead – a 38 per cent growth of the parish and 72 per cent growth in the village.

There were also 24 letters of objection to the application.

At the meeting held in Shirehall in Shrewsbury on Tuesday, Jane Whittaker, Hadnall parish clerk, said: "This is an unacceptable growth rate.

"There are about 10,000 vehicles that pass through Hadnall every day. Using local knowledge we know that Station Road has poor visibility and there are often accidents in the area causing safety issues."

The plans by Sansaw Estates and Galliers Homes include the provision of public open space, a car park and restoration of the moat. They have been amended since first submission to ensure access is only via Station Road in the village.

The plans also originally included the provision of a bowling green within the moat and adjacent club house, but this was dropped after advice from English Heritage and Shropshire Council archaeologists, who support the restoration of the moat.

A spokeswoman for Sansaw Estates and Galliers Homes said at the meeting: "You couldn't get a more sustainable development than this.

"The applicant has changed the plans to improve pedestrian safety. The moat will become a public centre of interest and we will fund the restoration."

In a letter read out at the meeting Simon Jones, Shropshire councillor for Shawbury, said: "Hadnall wants to remain rural. This planning application could make the village grow more than ever.

"It is outside the village boundary and not a sustainable development."

Pauline Dee, Shropshire councillor for Wem, said: "The junction is dangerous. The public want Hadnall to be classed as countryside and have taken their fair share of housing recently.

"A 72 per cent growth rate is too much for a small place with the amenities it has."

However other councillors on the planning committee said they 'couldn't see much wrong' with the application.

County councillor for Whitchurch South, Gerald Dakin, said the A49 was one of the best policed roads in the county and the application was sustainable.

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