Controversial Shrewsbury homes scheme submitted

But the scheme, for 29 homes on agricultural land off Lesley Owen Way in Sundorne, has attracted more than a dozen objections and failed to get the backing of the town council.

People living nearby are concerned that the development, which has been put forward by Sundorne Estates, will ruin their outlook and lead to a loss of privacy, cause problems with traffic and noise and result in the loss of green space and wildlife habitat.

A consultation event last July was attended by about 40 people.

A design statement submitted to Shropshire Council by agent for the applicant, David Parker Planning Associates, said: "It is fair to say that most people were unhappy with the proposals. A great deal of specific objections were made at the exhibition and in the feedback forms.

"Following the initial residents' meeting, a further meeting was held with the local councillors.

"They advised that in view of the emerging public opposition to the scheme, they were strongly opposed to the proposals on the grounds of significant traffic impact, loss of green space and impact on wildlife and habitat. They also said the scheme was not necessary to meet the housing needs of Shrewsbury."

Members of Shrewsbury Town Council have also opposed the scheme on the grounds that it would affect the views of existing residential amenity of properties, there would be adverse effects on road safety, on the estate roads, at the junction of Sundorne Road and in case of emergencies. Other new housing, a 90-bed residential nursing home and the Sports village had been developed nearby, adding significantly to traffic.

They were also concerned about the adverse effect on wildlife, including badgers, bats and great crested newts and they also commented that the only development that might be acceptable is an elderly residents' sheltered bungalow scheme.

Initially the scheme was for 34 houses but following the consultation this was reduced to 29 detached and semi-detached houses to include some bungalows. Changes have been made to the layout to protect the visual amenity from the rear of existing properties.

The applicants were also keen to stress that no part of the developed area lies within Shrewsbury's flood zone 2 as this was an issue which had been raised by objectors.

They have also proposed the creation of new public access to an area of land in the applicant's ownership to the south of the cycleway, which is currently inaccessible to the public which will provide further open space as compensatory wildlife habitat for the developed area of the site.

The plans will be considered by members of Shropshire Council's planning committee at a date to be confirmed.