Telford 1,100-home plan up for decision
A 1,100-home estate in Telford including a retirement village, primary school and potentially a doctor's surgery has moved a step closer to being built.
Council officers have recommended that the development to the east of Castle Farm Way in Priorslee should be approved at a key meeting next week.
If built, it would bring an extra 2,500 people to Priorslee.
A decision is expected to be made on the proposals at a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee on Tuesday.
It comes despite 56 objections being made by members of the public.
Developer Miller Homes has pledged Lakeside Plant Centre, a play barn and farm shop already on the site would not be affected by the project. If approved, work is not due to start until 2017 – and will take 13 years to be completed.
The primary school would cater for 420 pupils, while the retirement village would include apartments for up to 60 pensioners. There would also be a park and sports pitches.
The developers have been asked by planning officers to contribute almost £5.4 million through a section 106 agreement to contribute towards primary and secondary education and highways costs as a condition of approval.
Kevin Turley, deputy manager of the garden centre, said despite the objections the development would help businesses in the area.
Councillor Ian Fletcher, ward member for Priorslee, has objected to the plans saying there is no need for this amount of homes.
He said: "The proposal will create a rat run through the middle of the housing estate between the A5 and Castle Farm Way."
The planning committee will discuss the plans at a meeting at the Whitehouse Hotel in Wellington on Wednesday from 6pm.
