Campaigners threaten Shropshire council with judicial review over homes plan

Residents in Wem feel the council has not followed the rules of its own constitution when it made the decision to approve plans to build the homes off Roden Grove in private.

They say six questions they have put to the council remain unanswered into how it made the decision.

These include why local council members representing Wem weren't invited to attend the private meeting, and where is a record of the discussions that took place.

The council has always defended its decision, saying the scheme was considered twice by principal planning officers, who did consult with the chairman and vice-chairman of the planning committee, and all agreed it did not need to go to a full debate.

But Mike Sargeant, whose house backs onto Roden Grove, said: "We feel this is not democracy.

"They keep saying that they have a constitution but we believe the rules of the constitution were not adhered to.

"Because these plans have been passed, not using the rules of the constitution, then we believe they should be thrown out by the council.

"How can these plans be approved behind closed does when a local council member, who acts as an independent witness, is not asked to attend the meeting?

"I always thought a meeting without minutes was an informal meeting, so how can plans be passed at an informal meeting. If it was a formal meeting, why were there no minutes?"

Mr Sargeant added: "If it does go to judicial review I believe we have got an excellent chance of winning.

"The worrying situation is if we lose then we will have to pick up the bill, but if we win then it won't be the council or those that made the decision who will pay the bill, it will be you council tax payers."

Residents say the land is a problem for flooding, and their own gardens were often covered in water for weeks on end, while fears have also been raised about potential sewage and traffic problems.

Agents Berrys deny that the site is in a flood zone and say building there will not have any effect on other properties.

Malcolm Price, Shropshire Council cabinet member for housing, said the planning department was taking a "kicking from all sides", and yet the process couldn't be more fair and open.

His comments come after concern was raised by Oswestry Town Council after plans for an Aldi supermarket in the town – including the demolition of a 200-year-old toll house – were given the go-ahead by unelected officers, despite suggestions the scheme should have had a full planning committee debate.