Inspector to rule on project for 50 houses near Wem level crossing

Developers are looking to overturn Shropshire Council's decision to throw out the scheme for the homes between Aston Road and Church Lane.

A hearing will take place at a future date for all parties to state their case before a decision is made. No date has yet been set.

The plans were initially given permission at a meeting of the council's north planning committee in February last year, subject to planning conditions. But after changes to Shropshire Council's development plan, which is also known as SAMDev, the scheme was turned down.

The applicants believe the homes would bring economic benefits to the town, but Wem Train Station Safer Group objected to the plans after fearing the impact it would have on the town's level crossing, which has been the subject of signal and equipment faults in recent times.

More than 100 letters of objection and a 78-signature petition were received by Shropshire Council in regards to the application.

Residents and councillors raised concerns that the area will not be able to accommodate extra traffic, that the development is "out of place", and could increase the risk of flooding.

Shropshire Council later refused the application after claiming it conflicted with its SAMDev plan, and highlighted concerns about the additional traffic on the railway crossing junction.

But a 'statement of case' on behalf of the applicants, Mr Broomhall and Mrs Beasley, says: "New housing would bring economic and social benefits through providing new homes, increased local spend, construction jobs and Community Infrastructure Levy contributions.

"The benefits of the provision of housing is in the context of the Government's policy to significantly boost the supply of housing.

"It is well contained and well accessed, backing onto existing development surrounded by a mix of existing development.

"Concerns have been raised regarding development on the eastern side of the town due to the impact on the existing level crossing. There was however no objection to the proposal from Network Rail or the council's highways officer."

The outcome of the appeal is set to be announced following an informal hearing at a date still to be fixed.

It comes after AFM Farming LLP appealed to a Government planning inspector to overturn Shropshire Council's decision to throw out a scheme to create up to 37 homes on land at the junction with Church Lane and Soulton Road in Wem.

The unitary authority, which used delegated powers to turn down the scheme, said the development would not be sustainable and raised concerns about the location.

But the applicant said the site lies in a sustainable location which is highly accessible to local services and facilities.