Market Drayton homes plan one step closer despite objections

Shropshire Council has approved the outline plans for a new development off Greenfields Lane.

The application was originally submitted in August 2014 but has now been approved despite objections from prospective neighbours.

Outline planning permission means the proposals from Danbank Developments are one step closer to being realised. The next step will be the submission of a 'reserved matters' application which will include the exact details of the development's layout.

The decision comes despite some objections from those living near to the proposed development, with comments submitted to the council raising fears about the impact on the town’s infrastructure.

Alison Lewis said: “I would like to register my strongest possible objection to this application.

“The town infrastructure is again in question. The public facilities will not accommodate further housing, people or vehicles.”

In 2016, a number of residents submitted identical objection letters, arguing against the potential increase in the town’s population.

The letters, from Neville and Joan Lorrimer, John Janssen and Sandra Kiessling, said: “The existing infrastructure is not suitable to cope with the current population, let alone additional residents.

“The schools are overcrowded and close to their current capacity. An increased population would imply an increased demand for employment, in an area... where the current needs for employment are not being addressed.”

Shropshire Council has made it clear that the layout of the development must include provisions for pedestrian, cycle and vehicle routes through the site, as well as a play area and open spaces.

Bat boxes and bird boxes are also part of the requirements, and a badger inspection will be carried out before work starts.

Reports including a noise mitigation plan will now be prepared ahead of a more detailed reserved matters application.

Ian Kilby, Shropshire Council’s planning services manager, said: “In this case the site was subject to a legal agreement following the initial committee resolution, and was later subject to revisions prior to the decision being issued and the S106 legal agreement signed, and so it was referred back to committee for final consideration prior to the decision being issued.

“The next step will be for a reserved matters application to be submitted for consideration in due course. The reserved matters will include details not submitted for consideration at the outline stage.

“All details relevant to the application are referenced in the officer report which is available to view of the online planning register.”