Plans for futuristic family home in Telford given green light
Residents have spoken of their anger after plans for a futuristic three bedroom family home in Telford were granted, despite objections.
Planning permission has been passed by Shropshire Council for the designer scheme at Crews Park, Broseley Wood, despite residents' pleas.
Residents say the modern design will not fit in with its surroundings, but the developer has defended his plans claiming they may have a change of heart after seeing the final result.
Kathleen Watson, 75, lives near the site with her husband Derek, 77.
She said: “Every house in the vicinity was against the idea; it will be a modern building in a conservation area.
“The house will be like those on Grand Designs and it won’t fit with our traditional houses, not to mention there’s no access to the surrounding area.”
The proposal has been described as ‘"imposing" and a "sore thumb within the cottages" by residents.
Kathleen said: “I have issued a formal complaint to Shropshire Council as we weren’t even informed that it had been approved, my calls were ignored and I had to find out through a friend at the planning office.”
But site owner Ian Searle, 48, has defended the plans saying he approached residents with his proposals before going ahead with the project.
He said: "There are a lot of good points to consider it is a beautiful design and Shropshire are encouraging ground breaking design if done sympathetically to the area.
"Broseley Wood is a conservation area but we feel will add to its rich heritage.
"The design is inspired by local pottery kilns nearby but translated in a modern concept as an L shaped property it also has breathtaking views across the valley gorge and just over a mile from the world heritage site Ironbridge.
"Before planning commenced we visited all the neighbours that we could that we felt might be impacted and on the whole got a good response.
"It was sad to hear so many of these changed their views and chose to object to the design.
"Mainly due to not wanting a modern house and disruption. We feel however this will add to the rich culture and be a landmark design.
"We are sympathetic to our neighbours concerns and will continue to communicate with them as the build progresses and we feel they may have a change of heart with the final result."
