Controversial Market Drayton homes plan recommended for approval

The homes, earmarked for land behind the former Talbot Hotel, on Newcastle Road in Market Drayton, have been recommended for approval ahead of a Shropshire Council meeting next week.

The plans, which saw a petition of 266 signatures gathered against the idea, would see the homes built to the back of the pub, with its west border adjoining the boundary for the Market Drayton Canal Basin Conservation Area.

Market Drayton Town Council objected to the plans on the basis it would "look out of character in the area and over development" as well as concerns there would be access issues with a nearby humpback bridge.

Meanwhile, the Canal and River Trust said it has serious fears over the impact it could have on the nearby boatyard while Inland Waterways said it could have a knock-on effect on the viability of the pub.

The Talbot Hotel, which is currently closed, has been named an non-designated heritage asset, as well as a community asset. According to the report, the pub has been bought by new owners, who could potentially revamp the facility and reopen the hotel.

Inland Waterways said: "Boaters, walkers and other visitors attracted by the waterway use the Talbot Inn as a lunch stop and are then encouraged to walk into town.

"Building on the car park would make it substantially more difficult for the inn to be viable, which would inevitably lead to proposals to close it permanently.

"The closure of the Inn would have a significant detrimental effect on Market Drayton’s tourism trade.

"The proposed residential development does not appear to be compatible with the existing boat yard. From our experience in other areas, such issues as noise could possibly cause conflict."

In a report to be put to councillors next week, case officer Sue Collins said she recognised comments raised concerns that it could have a detrimental impact on the canal, the existing boat yards and tourism in the area.

She said: "This site is separate land from the canal basin and in separate ownership. As such its role in any future development of the canal or tourism is limited. The application does not affect the ability of the public house to operate nor the ability of people from the canal walking to the premises as they do now.

"It would still be a public house in the locality with some, although more limited parking available than previously available.

"As there are no applications under consideration for the development of the canalside it is not possible to assess the potential implications."

The plans have been recommended for approval and will be discussed at a meeting of Shropshire Council's north planning committee on Tuesday at Shirehall from 2pm.