Plans for 61 new homes in field east of Shropshire village get the go-ahead

Developer Shingler Homes Ltd submitted the plans for 61 new homes in the village of Whittington near Oswestry in June this year.

Now, Shropshire Council planning officers have given the plans the go-ahead, despite residents raising concerns about the impact the development would have on the small village. 

Nine residents lodged their objections to the plans, while Whittington Parish Council claimed there was a "large representation from residents" when the application was discussed at a meeting in July.

Concerns from neighbours included fears of increased traffic through the small village, noise from the building work and the potential impact on views and house prices.

The site of 2.55 hectares sits off the B5009, on the eastern edge of the settlement and south of an existing development at Donnett Close.

Of the 61 homes, seven are proposed to be for "social, affordable or intermediate rent", three for affordable home ownership and 51 for market housing.

The development would be made up of two one-bedroom homes, 21 two-bedroom homes, 24 three-bedroom homes and 14 with four or more bedrooms.

Approving the plans, Shropshire Council planning officers said the application proposes an overprovision of affordable housing, an oversupply of biodiversity net gain in habitat and hedgerow creation and an overprovision of open space, including the creation of a play area. 

The report reads: "The provision of material considerations resulting in economic, social and other benefits when considered cumulatively are deemed to weigh in the balance in favour of approval despite the development being contrary to the adopted development plan.

"The proposal is deemed to be acceptable in its siting, scale, design and materials and to have no harmful implications for highways, ecology, heritage, drainage or residential amenity of a level that would justify refusal. The application is therefore recommended for approval."