Developers under attack over plans for 100 homes near Shrewsbury

Several planning applications for greenfield sites on the edge of the village are currently awaiting Shropshire Council's decision, with fierce local opposition.

Peter Staples, who is one of the villagers opposing 39 houses in fields off Gorse Lane, said: "Developers know that councils, including Shropshire Council, are reluctant to turn down applications because they may then face very costly appeals which they can't afford to contest.

"Three years ago an application was turned down for just two houses on the Gorse Lane site but now they want to build far, far more."

He said a number of applications had been put forward. "It's like a production line. The wording is identical and only details are changed in each application.

"There is no thought for the communities they will irreparably damage."

About 100 objections have so far been lodged against the outline Gorse Lane scheme, including from Bayston Hill Parish Council and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Other schemes yet to be decided by Shropshire Council include outline plans to create up to 35 homes to the north of New Pulley Lane and outline plans for up to 10 homes to the west of the A49.

Mr Staples added: "The issues go much further than just this one application. The village infrastructure and facilities just won't be able to cope with the massive extra pressures that a 100 houses will bring."

Helen Howie, planning consultant for Berrys, which is the agent working on behalf of the applications, said there is an urgent need for more housing in Shropshire.

"The council's own local plan states that Shropshire needs a further 19,220 new homes over the 12 years, 2014 to 2026," she said.

She added: "Bayston Hill has recently lost one of its two primary schools, demonstrating how villages need to maintain population in order to retain their village facilities. Housing development can help sustain the vibrancy of village services."