Inquiry told Ellesmere homes scheme not needed
New housing development in Ellesmere should be concentrated around the wharf area of the town, a leading county councillor and the town council has told a planning enquiry.
David Wilson Homes is appealing against the refusal of planning permission for 68 homes on land off Teal Drive. It says the new development would bring much-needed affordable housing to Ellesmere and an injection of about £350,000 in housing levy to the town.
Speaking at the inquiry yesterday on behalf of Ellesmere Town Council, Councillor Stacy Thornton said the development would adversely affect the viability of the leisure and housing development to the south.
"The canal wharf development has widespread local support. It will improve Ellesmere as a visitor destination. That development will have a positive impact on the town through its planned infrastructure whereas this development would merely add more housing without complimentary employment opportunities."
Shropshire county councillor for Ellesmere, Councillor Ann Hartley, said the town had more than adequate housing provision in its preferred option sites.
She said: "Why develop an attractive area of open countryside when we have more than adequate provision? Ellesmere has over and above its housing allocation."
She said that in two recent appeals for housing in Ellesmere that had been dismissed inspectors had placed great weight on the SAMDev scheme.
The inquiry is expected to last until tomorrow when Inspector Jonathan Manning will visit the site.
