Plans lodged for 200 more homes across Shropshire

Old Station Yard in Ellesmere could be converted into 57 homes after planning officers recommended the controversial scheme for approval at a meeting next Tuesday.

Other plans include another controversial scheme for 50 homes in Wem and converting a dairy farm at Rhos-y-Llan Farm in St Martins near Oswestry into 80 new homes, an office block and sports pitches.

Permission for homes at the Ellesmere site was given permission back in 2006, but it never went ahead. Fresh proposals were then submitted in April last year.

But the plans put forward by Wychbury Properties (Ellesmere) Ltd have come under fire from Ellesmere Town Council over fears an increase in heavy goods vehicles could increase potential dangers on the nearby roads.

There were also concerns about the bottleneck at the top of Trimpley Street, as well as potential over development of the town.

The scheme for 50 homes in Wem could be turned down by councillors, despite having been given permission earlier this year.

The plans for the development between Aston Road and Church Lane were given permission at a meeting of the north planning committee in February, subject to planning conditions.

But since changes to Shropshire Council's development plan – the SAMDev plan – officers have now said the scheme should be refused.

In the new report, which councillors will discuss at a meeting on Tuesday (SEP29), planning officer Tim Rogers said: "The site is located outside the current Wem development boundary and is therefore classed as open countryside and a departure from the development plan."

The plans, which were downscaled from an initial scheme for 75 houses, had come under fire from residents who feared it would put added strain on the nearby level crossing which is known to cause tailback traffic if it slams shut because of a fault.

Meanwhile, outline plans have been submitted for land at Rhos-y-Llan Farm. It is owned by Brynkinalt FarmLtd, which also owns a significant area of land to the south of the village.

Lillian Duffield, planner at Savills, which is acting as agent for Brynkinalt Farm Ltd, said the parish council had accepted the provisional plans and had suggested some features, including a pedestrian route to the nearby St Martins School.

She said: "The discussions have been key to shaping the plans, in particular in providing new recreational facilities for the community, safer pedestrian and cycle access to St Martins School, a mix of homes and employment opportunities to the local community."

The plans include 13 two-bedroom, 50 three-bedroom and 17 larger homes, a tenth of which will be social housing, as well as a small office block. The farmhouse, which is a Grade II-listed building and dates back to the late 16th century, will be kept at the heart of the new housing development with its own garden and courtyard area.