Ellesmere housing scheme wins go-ahead on appeal

David Wilson Homes appealed against the refusal of planning permission for 68 homes off Teal Drive, and an inquiry was held at Shirehall in February.

The developers said the homes would bring much-needed affordable housing and an injection of about £350,000 in housing levy.

However, councillors and residents said the development would add to traffic problems and the town had more than adequate housing provision in its preferred option sites.

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

During the inquiry inspector Jonathan Manning visited the town before making a decision.

He said: "As a result of the evidence before me, I consider that the main issues of the appeal are: the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area; whether the council can demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and whether the proposal constitutes sustainable development.

"Having regard to all other matters raised, including the strong concerns of local residents and Ellesmere Town Council, I consider that the proposal represents sustainable development.

"The proposal would result in the urbanisation of the currently open appeal site and would project built development out into the open countryside. Further, the proposal would remove the existing and substantial boundary hedgerow.

"As a result of these matters, I consider that the scheme would result in some harm to the character and appearance of the area.

"However, it must be borne in mind that the area is well contained from the wider landscape and the identified harm is very localised.

"Further, the proposed landscaping scheme particularly that on the northeast boundary would overtime help to integrate the proposal into the local landscape.

"The council does not have a robust housing requirement in line with the requirements. Consequently, it follows that the council cannot demonstrate a five-year housing land supply and its policies that relate to the supply of housing are out-of-date.

"The proposal would result in social benefits through the provision of 68 dwellings, of which seven would be affordable units."

Residents have said the news is "disappointing" and have taken to the community Facebook group to air their views.

Elaine Gough, an Ellesmere resident, posted: "

We have been fighting since August 2014 as local residents but basically it came down to a legal argument about Shropshire's housing supply and not what's best for the local community."

And Kate Westgate wrote: "What a shame."