'Concrete jungle' warning over 220 homes plan for Telford estate

Concerns have been raised after final plans were submitted to build more than 220 homes were put forward for Priorslee.

Outline permission had already been given the green light for land off Gatcombe Way but developers have since revealed the final design of the homes in a fresh application to Telford & Wrekin Council.

Now, residents say they fear the development could cause issues for services in the area.

Carolyn Cherry, of Eltham Drive, said: "Redhill Primary is already oversubscribed, with long waiting lists as is Priorslee Primary and St Georges, the next nearest primary schools to that site.

"The park area is so small and designed for pre-school children. There are no areas for older school aged children - a larger park with proper swings, slides etc is needed and has been for many years.

"A sports pitch and community centre also would benefit the population. The brick area of the current park is not maintained and is overgrowing.

"The doctors surgery fails to meet the needs of the current local population due to staff shortages so travel to Shifnal is most common, as the main part of the surgery. Adding more patients to this practice is impossible."

Comments have been made on Telford & Wrekin Council's planning website, with one resident of York Road, who did not provide a name, fearing the area will become over-developed.

He said: "I have been a resident of York Road for 16 years now and my home faces directly at one of the areas of land that is subject to the building plan.

"Knowing that the land has always been subject to planning permission it was only a matter of time before it was built upon. I accept there has to be development but to find out that there are to be 220 dwellings built upon such a small area of land is quite shocking.

"There are already plans for 400 plus houses on land off the A5 at Redhill, 600 plus on the former Celestica site and 1,100 homes east of Priorslee, and hundreds more just five minutes away at Muxton.

"We are seeing what was once an attractive area to live in slowly becoming a concrete jungle and unfortunately Telford & Wrekin Council do not seem to give a damn about the residents."

If approved, the development, to be built by Lovell, will be made up of 24 two bed homes, 101 three bed homes, and 49 three bed homes for sale on the open market.

A further 24 two bedroom, 16 three bedroom, and three four bedroom homes will be made available for social rent. And seven two bed and three three bedroom homes will be put up for purchase through shared ownership.

The application is available to view online at Telford & Wrekin Council and will be decided in the coming months.