Shropshire house wrecked in lorry crash is to be replaced

Fox House, which lay on the busy A41 in Shakeford, was seriously damaged when a lorry crashed into the side of the building in July last year.

It later had to be demolished after the accident and the owners now plan to create a new home, with developers looking to set it further back from the road.

A planning application submitted by the owners has now been granted approval by Shropshire Council's planning officers.

A report by Shropshire Council case officer Karen Townend said: "It is considered that the proposed development is appropriate in its scale and design that it will not have a detrimental impact on the character of the area.

"The development will not have a detrimental impact on residential amenities or on highway safety."

In the plans put forward to Shropshire Council, agent Neil Condliffe, on behalf of applicant Ashley Holford, said the building had been a Grade II-listed 18th century home before the crash.

He added: “This proposed development arises through unfortunate forced circumstances.

“The existing premises known as the Fox, which was set immediately alongside the adjacent A41 trunk road was struck by vehicle impact.

“The damage sustained was such that it was determined by the authority that the remaining structure was dangerous and had to be demolished. The applicant acceded to this request but now seeks a replacement dwelling.“Reconstruction on the same spot would be inadvisable for safety reasons and therefore the replacement dwelling is necessarily set back into the site to facilitate access and turning.

“The replacement dwelling reflects the design of a typical Shropshire farmhouse with additional refinements and embellishments added as advised by the council in the pre-application consultation.”

The crash led to a police investigation after it was thought a second lorry was involved which failed to stop.

The A41 was closed between Hinstock and Tern Hill and emergency crews worked to shore up the building and make it safe, with wooden supports and scaffolding brought in to keep it stable.

The lorry driver, in his 50s, escaped with leg injuries and was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital following the crash.

Mr Condliffe added: “The dwelling being replaced was itself of a fine scale. That former dwelling had recently been substantially upgraded and refurbished. It is recognised that the replacement cannot be on the same site because of the obvious safety considerations arising from the manner in which the former dwelling was destroyed.

“The proposal is therefore set back into the site to a point where the linear nature of the site broadens out. It is set at the first realistic point that the dwelling can be sited close to the highway.”