Villagers' joy as firm's plan is thrown out

Campaigners in north Shropshire were today celebrating victory in a planning battle with one of the county's biggest employers after its bid to move its entire operation to their village failed.

While champagne corks have been popping for residents in Prees, bosses at Hawk Plant Hire, in Loppington, are now faced with a major headache after the decision scuppered their plans to unite two areas of the business at one location.

Members of Shropshire Council north planning committee refused Hawk's plans at a meeting in Wem yesterday.

Hawk had wanted to use greenbelt land for storing farm machinery and vehicles at Cruckmoor Lane, Prees.

The intended site was opposite the firm's new headquarters.

The family-run firm, which employs about 300 people nationwide, wanted to unite the work done at its Loppington and Prees sites in one location to reduce the number of vehicle movements along minor roads.

The company had also struck a deal with developers to build new homes on its site at The Grange, Loppington, and securing planning permission at Prees would have paved the way for work to begin.

Speaking on behalf of campaigners at yesterday's meeting, Prees resident Julian Garforth, said: "The application brings no economic benefit to the parish of Prees."

Gerald Dakin, Shropshire Council member for Whitchurch South, said: "If Hawk moves here it will be a sore on this little rural hamlet for many years."