Housing scheme recommended for approval

Shropshire Council's planning committee is being recommended to approve the proposal for land off Shaw lane in Albrighton at its meeting on June 5.

The plans include 74 extra care apartments and six bungalows, all for the over 55s, as well 30 affordable homes for a housing trust, and 28 houses for private sale.

The private houses will be two, three, and four bedroom.

The development has proved controversial, with a number of letters of objection, including one from the Wrekin MP, Mark Pritchard.

Concerns have included the potential increase in the number of people attending the local medical practice, flooding, car parking spaces for Albrighton Railway Station users, and an extra safety risk with the junction to Shaw Lane.

A report prepared by Shropshire Council officer Richard Fortune outlines how the concerns will be addressed.

It claims the majority of those living in the extra-care facilities will already be from the area, with around 30 expected to be new to Albrighton.

The report states: "The potential impact on the Albrighton Medical Practice would be an additional 308 new patients. This would represent a 3.8 per cent increase in registered patients up to 8,381."

The developers have also said they plan to meet with the local GP practice to discuss the impact of the new housing.

As part of the plans 12 parking spaces will be earmarked in the development for railway station users, and Severn Trent will be asked to approve a scheme of foul drainage, and surface water drainage before work starts.

In his report Mr Fortune recommends that the development is approved, with conditions.

He states that the extra care housing will also cater for a requirement for that type of accommodation.

He said: "The development of this land, on part of an allocated housing site, would not detract from the wider landscape setting of Albrighton or the immediate locality, including the setting of listed buildings in the area.

"The site layout and design of the bungalows, houses and flats would not unduly harm neighbour amenity. There are no ecological, tree protection, archaeological, drainage or contamination reasons that would justify a refusal of planning permission, with appropriate planning conditions being able to safeguard these interests. The amount of open space that would be provided within the development, in various forms, is satisfactory.

"Affordable housing would be provided in excess of the current prevailing rate and the extra care accommodation would address a growing need for specialist accommodation for the elderly."