Hearing set over homes near Shropshire problem level crossing

Developers have appealed to a Government planning inspector to overturn Shropshire Council's decision to throw out the scheme to create the homes between Aston Road and Church Lane in Wem.

The hearing, which will allow all parties to state their case before a final decision is made, will start from 10am on June 15 in Shirehall, Shrewsbury.

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. 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.

The council's 'statement of case' ahead of the inquiry says: "There are economic and social gains to be achieved from the development of the appeal site.

"However, these gains can also be achieved from the development of sites within the development boundary and specifically the allocated sites."

But the statement of case on behalf of the applicants, Mr Broomhall and Mrs Beasley, says new housing would bring economic and social benefits.

It comes after AFM Farming LLP appealed to a Government planning inspector to overturn Shropshire Council's decision to throw out a different scheme to create up to 37 homes also in Wem.