Controversial plans for 160 homes in Market Drayton given the green light

Campaigners had fought against the plans for land off Rush Lane in Market Drayton over fears it could put pressure on the town's medical centre, schools and cause sewage problems.

But Gladman Development Limited has been given permission for its proposal by the planning inspectorate.

The development is just yards away from land which has already got permission for another 250 homes under a separate developer.

Market Drayton town councillor Mark Whittle said: "Not speaking on behalf of the town council, but on behalf of the people in Rush Lane that I represent, this really will turn their lives upside down.

"I am extremely dismayed. We just can't service the people coming into the town – we haven't got the infrastructure.

"The people in Rush Lane are paying a high price."

Mayor of Market Drayton Roy Aldcroft said: "This is primarily a Shropshire Council planning issue.

"Planned development of the area has been on the cards for many years. It is my hope that a compromise can be reached to enable much needed housing to be provided for the benefit of the town."

Developers launched the appeal against Shropshire Council who had concerns about access to the site – a roundabout off the A53 – and how it could impact co-ordination with the neighbouring development.

The company had already been granted permission for the homes in a previous application but launched the appeal for a separate, identical plan to confront planning technicalities over the access.

Gladman said that making sure the sites worked together could be achieved through planning conditions and said that Shropshire Council's request for a full masterplan worked out with the other developers would be "unreasonable".

Planning inspectorate Rosalyn Kirby allowed the appeal and said that planning conditions could be imposed to "achieve the same objective of connectivity with the adjoining site".

She said that with appropriate conditions, "the development of the appeal site would not prejudice a coordinated residential scheme for the wider allocated site".

It comes after a hearing which was held in March at the Festival Drayton Centre in Market Drayton where campaigners spoke out against the plans.

After hearing that the appeal had been granted, a statement from the Friends of Rush Lane group said: "We are obviously disappointed by the decision.

"We were upset that the report said there were no objections from adjacent landowners, because there were over 500 letters of objection including landowners that the group represents.

"We were very upset that our views seem to have been ignored.

"We don't feel that the access has been sorted because it will deal with it in planning conditions.

"But this is not the end for us, we will not rest."

Concerns were raised over sustainability, traffic concerns and drainage problems – but Ms Kirby said the town had been recognised as a sustainable development and that she had no reason to believe there would be an impact on highway safety or that the site could not be suitably drained.

In March Lawrie Lane, for Gladman, told the hearing that the company had worked hard on the planning process with the council.