Telford homes plans get the go-ahead

A further 52 apartments and 14 homes will be built in Ketley as part of Telford Millennium Community. The plans, which represent the fourth stage of the huge development, were unanimously backed by members of Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee last night.

Hundreds of homes have been built on the site since work first started on the major development.

Other small housing developments which were hauled back before councillors due to a change in planning policy have once again been given the green light.

Homes planned for Waters Upton, Coalport and Doseley were approved for a second time by the committee.

Members had been asked to take a second look at the applications after Telford & Wrekin Council revealed it had met its quota for a five-year supply of land for new housing. Eleven applications that had been approved were called back in to be examined again.

Resubmitted proposals to build five homes next to Waters Upton Village Hall were approved. The detached houses will be built on the provision that the developer transfers a parcel of land to Waters Upton Parish Council for a village green and community amenities.

It comes despite objections from residents, the parish council and the local neighbourhood steering group that says the village has enough housing and the plans went against their draft neighbourhood plan.

Elsewhere, plans for 12 homes in the Ironbridge Gorge were unanimously approved.

Councillors voted to go ahead with the proposals that include garages, parking and private amenity space for Ivydale, High Street, Coalport.

Following a site visit by councillors on the Telford & Wrekin planning committee, councillor Peter Scott said: "This development will benefit so many people." It has been approved once again under the change in policy subject to a £600 per two bed unit from the developer towards off site play an recreation.

Plans for 13 homes in Doseley that were initially approved in February were again given the go-ahead. They will see Bluemark Projects Ltd and Punch Taverns erect the homes next to the Cheshire Cheese pub.

Councillor Jayne Greenaway raised concerns over the location of the homes next to the steam railway. But six members voted in favour and two against subject to a contribution of £600 towards off-site recreation.

Speaking last week, Councillor Richard Overton, the authority's cabinet member for housing, said planning applications had been considered "under a presumption in favour of sustainable development" to help the council meet its land supply targets set by the Government.

But he said meeting the target meant it was appropriate for the council to look at some of the applications already approved again.