Plans for new pay-and-display car park in field at foot of the Wrekin approved
Plans to build a new pay-and-display car park at the foot of the Wrekin have been given the green light.
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In June last year, a proposal was submitted by Newport-based planning company Design with Nature Ltd for the car park to be built on a nine-acre L-shaped patch of land known as the Donkey Field on the north-eastern edge of the hill, by the Wrekin Course junction.
It was the third application for such a development, with plans previously approved for a 40-space car park in 2012 and another for 131 spaces in 2022.
But the car parks were never built, with the planning agents saying that escalating construction costs rendered the larger scheme "unviable".
The latest plans - which have now been approved by Telford & Wrekin Council - comprise space for 51 vehicles, including two disabled spaces and two electric vehicle charging spaces, and a layby for a catering van.
The 2012 application had included plans for a small cafe building, similar to one at Haughmond Hill, but this was discounted amid concerns that the car park would become a destination and increase traffic on nearby roads.
The applicants hoped the new car park would help to reduce car parking on the road at the foot of the hill, which during public holidays or warm weekends can see vehicles parked in the cycle path or along the double yellow lines.
However, some residents - who pointed to an existing pay-and-display car park - said charging to park was not the answer to reducing the dangerous roadside parking.
By the time a divisive consultation came to an end, a total of 16 objections and eight supporting statements had been lodged by residents.
Approving the plans, the borough council noted that no objection had previously been raised by Natural England to the creation of a car park on the site.
The report continued: "Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposal may be visible from points on the Wrekin, the applicant has designed the scheme to be as un-intrusive as possible.
"It is noted that there have been significant issues around the Wrekin in regards to unsafe parking due to there being limited parking capacity within the immediate area.
"The local planning authority considers that the proposed car park would help alleviate these issues and would be of benefit to those visiting the Wrekin."
