Hearing to decide on Wem homes plan
An informal hearing will be held to decide whether plans to build about 27 new homes inWem should be approved.
Applicants have appealed to a Government planning inspector to make the final decision on the scheme to create the off Shawbury Road.
They launched the appeal after Shropshire Council failed to make a decision on the plans, which were registered at Shirehall in January last year.
The hearing will be held on April 28 in Shirehall.
A letter has been sent to all parties confirming the date of the one-day hearing, which will start at 10am.
A statement by the agent, The Planning Group Ltd, says: "Having regard to the non-determination of this application it is unclear why the council has failed to make a decision.
"With the exception of a request to extend the period for determination which was agreed to May 18 2015, we have received no correspondence from the council.
"It is unfortunate but we feel that due to the lack of progress in the applications consideration we have no option but to lodge this appeal."
The statement adds the development will help to address the shortfall in land for housing without resulting in harm being caused to neighbouring residents or the appearance of the area.
Wem Town Council objected to the application after claiming the site is a considerable distance from the town's development boundary and is not considered sustainable.
The town council also said that it objected to a similar application close to the site in 2014 which was refused permission by Shropshire Council.
A statement on behalf of Shropshire Council raised concerns about the impact it would have on the area.
"The council can currently demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites," it says.
"It is a fact that the proposal extends significantly into the countryside surrounding Wem beyond the defined development boundary and would cause harm to the visual amenity of the area.
"It therefore does not constitute sustainable development.
"The council is very concerned about this appeal proposal and its likely effect on generally opening up sites on the edge of settlements for additional development."
