Judicial review into Wem homes decision abandoned
A judicial review over Shropshire Council's decision to approve a controversial housing plan behind closed doors appears to have been abandoned.
Councillor Chris Mellings, Shropshire councillor for Wem, told Wem Town Council that a judicial review over the decision to build homes off Roden Grove may not be the right path.
Residents in Wem feel the council did not follow the rules of its own constitution when it made the decision to approve plans to build the homes in private.
The council has always defended its decision, saying the scheme was considered twice by principal planning officers, who did consult the chairman and vice-chairman of the planning committee, and all agreed it did not need to go to a full debate.
Councillor Mellings said: "This application process has had a number of issues.
"Since we found out the news there has been an effective letter writing campaign.
"Letters have been sent to Greg Clark MP, the minister for communities and local government, with the concerns which have been raised.
"We wanted to take advice from a barrister about whether we could launch a judicial review. At the moment it is felt that a judicial review may not be the best way forward – it might not be successful and it is very costly. We just haven't got the money locally.
"However, we want to engage with a planning consultant to make sure any issues with the layout and design are sorted.
"We will try to find a final design which impacts on the residents as little as possible.
"The next stage is to write to the Ombudsman. We still feel very let down by Shropshire Council."
Edward Towers, Wem town councillor, added: "I think we should commit some money to the cause to help residents in any way we can."
The town council voted on Thursday to agree in principle to pledging some money for a planning consultant subject to it being legal and up to a maximum of £500.
Residents say the land has flooding problems,while fears have also been raised about potential sewage and traffic problems. Agents Berrys deny that the site is in a flood zone.
Mike Sargeant, whose house backs onto Roden Grove, said: "We will keep fighting the application."
