Housing approved for Allscott sugar beet factory site

Outline plans to build the homes and a primary school where the British Sugar factory once stood in Allscott, near Telford, were approved for a second time by members of Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee last night.

It was one of five planning applications reconsidered by councillors after the authority admitted it had met its quota for a five-year supply of land for housing set by the Government.

Hundreds of people attended the meeting at Oakengates Theatre – and several had to wait outside until the specific application they were interested in came up for discussion.

The plans for the Allscott site were given the green light despite objections from residents, who described the decision as a "crying shame".

Following the decision Sue Boardman, from Wrockwardine, said: "There are huge concerns raised for infrastructure and location and it has not even been referred back to be looked at.

"It is a disgrace to democracy and a crying shame.

"Our plan going forward now will be to trying persuade developers to scale down the application.

"They are planning to build on a lot of green fields so we will look to try and get the scale of the site reduced. That would hopefully alleviate some of those dangers and issues."

But Peter Starling, chairman of Allscott Sports and Social Club, said the development would mean better sporting facilities for his group.

A decision was deferred on plans to build 540 homes at the former Maxell Europe site at Hortonwood in Telford. Councillors urged the applicants J Ross Developments to come up with plans for a smaller scheme.

But the decision for two applications for development next to the Norman Grade I-listed St Michael and All Angels Church at Lilleshall was overturned and refused – to huge cheers from campaigners in the public gallery.

For the Lilleshall applications planning officers, recommending refusal, told councillors the previous key argument for approving the plans earlier this year was no longer valid.

The plans were reviewed after Telford & Wrekin Council claimed earlier this year it had met its target for a five-year supply of land for housing.

Tomorrow night another six applications will be reconsidered for the same reason at another planning committee meeting.