Plans for 44 new homes in small Shropshire village given the go ahead
Planners have approved a scheme to build 44 homes in a village near Bridgnorth.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Earlier this year, developers Shropshire Homes revealed plans to build 44 new homes on agricultural land near Brown Clee C of E Primary School in Ditton Priors near Bridgnorth.
The official planning application for the development was lodged with Shropshire Council in July, with revised plans that added two bungalows being submitted in September.
The homes will consist of one, two, three and four-bed properties, 11 of which will be classed as affordable. It will also include associated access, footpaths, landscaping, public open space and infrastructure on 2.8 hectares of arable agricultural land to the north side of Ditton Priors and the east side of Derrington Road.
Off-site localised highway works are also proposed to improve connectivity between the site and local amenities within the village. Five parking spaces at the adjacent Brown Clee C of E Primary School would be constructed and legally transferred to the school.
“This application meets or exceeds all emerging policies and specific requirements of the allocation in the draft Local Plan,” said Andy Sheldon, land and planning director at Shropshire Homes.
“Benefits of the proposal include 11 affordable homes, which is two more that is required by policy, there will be new parking spaces for the school, improved pedestrian links to the village, the provision of biodiversity net gain, and an excellent range of housing.
“We’ve worked very closely with officers and as a result truly believe the proposal will provide a real high quality design in a suitable location.”
All statutory consultees were satisfied that the scheme is sensible and there are no technical reasons why the development cannot be granted.
However, the application attracted some kickback from residents, and at Tuesday's planning meeting, Ditton Priors Parish Council raised concerns.
“There is no main road nearby and while some parts allow for two-way traffic, there are many parts that are not,” said parish council clerk, Jayne Madeley.
“It is accepted that the condition of the highway is not a planning consideration, but if you are using the highways that are in poor condition day in, day out to leave your community and return, it is very much a consideration if more traffic is going to use it.
“The access to the site is close to a bend that leads to the main part of Ditton Priors. This will also be the walking route for all services provided in the community. It is essential that should the site be granted permission, the route is not blocked for traffic connected to the site to ensure all other businesses in the Brown Clee area are able to go about their normal business.”
Shropshire Council’s Southern Committee unanimously approved the scheme when discussing it at Tuesday’s meeting (December 17).
“It has a lot of good things with it and consultees seem okay with what we have,” said Councillor Tony Parsons.
“Local community members have concerns, largely due to traffic matters, but the fact this has got 25 per cent affordable housing within the proposal and there’s bungalows and accommodation for one and two people, I will be supporting it.”
