Public inquiry called on Shrewsbury farmland homes plan

At a meeting at Shirehall, about 40 Bayston Hill residents packed into the room to hear a planning appeal over the fate of 39 possible homes on farmland behind Gorse Lane.

Building firm Galliers Homes and property consultants Berrys had brought the appeal against Shropshire Council's refusal to grant permission for the development.

However, as soon as she had opened the proceedings, the Government inspector ruled that it was too important for an informal hearing and instead insisted for it to go to a public inquiry.

Shropshire Council's legal and planning team accepted the inspector's proposal, despite the applicants opposing it. The inspector announced that the appeal would go to a public inquiry on a date to be fixed.

A spokesman for the residents' group which opposes the development, said the group would continue to fight against the development.

He said: "This was an unexpected turn of events, but it is heartening for residents to see the issue being taken so seriously.

"While there can be no objection to careful and discriminating house-building, Galliers Homes and Berrys are seeking to turn a large area of open countryside into a housing estate regardless of the impact it will have on the community, the environment, or the important open space between Bayston Hill and Meole Brace.

"Local people have a strong sense of community and will continue to fight this proposed development for as long as it takes to defeat it."