'Too few homes built in Shropshire', developer claims

So far 9,500 homes had been built between 2006 and the end of last year, an inquiry was told. It means 18,000 homes still need to be granted permission and built by 2026 to hit the target set by Shropshire Council's SAMDev plan.

One county developer says Shropshire hasn't delivered on its housing requirement in seven out of the last nine years.

David Wilson Homes is appealing against refusal of planning permission by Shropshire Council for 68 homes on land next to Teal Drive in Ellesmere.

Addressing a public inquiry in Oswestry yesterday, Mrs Thea Osmund-Smith for the company said planning inspectors presiding over an inquiry in Ludlow had remarked on the current situation over the number of homes that were still outstanding in the Site Allocations and Management of Development plan.

SAMDev sets out how the county should develop over the next decade until 2026, setting out which land should be zoned for various uses.

One of the key drivers for the completion of the document is to ensure the supply of land to satisfy the national requirement for the availability of housing for five years worth of development.

Mrs Osmund-Smith outlined to planning inspector Jonathan Manning the figures for housebuilding in Shropshire.

"If Shropshire is to deliver its core strategy housing target it will need sites outside of the development boundaries to contribute," she said.

The problem in north-west Shropshire is more acute, she said.

"Despite the expectation that between 5,775 and 6,325 dwellings will be delivered in north-west Shropshire over the plan only 1,276 were delivered in town and villages that make up that zone between 2006 and 2015.

"There are viability issues with development in this area and large schemes are slow to get off the ground."

Speaking on behalf of Shropshire Council, Sarah Clover said that the application close to Teal Drive would "ride a coach and horses" through the SAMDev plan.

She said that the planning application constituted harm to the open countryside.

Local objectors spent four days listening to the planning inquiry.

Residents say that Ellesmere is being hit by applications over and above its quota for housing.

Councillor Ann Hartley, Shropshire councillor for Ellesmere, said the town had more than adequate housing provision in its preferred option sites.

These included Hawthorn Drive, the Railway Yard and the Wharf development.

"We see the Wharf as our future development site for housing, leisure and so vitally important, for much needed employment opportunities," 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."