Plans for Shrewsbury flats 'partially address' concerns raised

Saxonby Homes wants to build three blocks of flats on the site on Ellesmere Road.

The plan for 36 homes was submitted last year after a previous application for 38 homes on the same site was turned down.

Shropshire Council refused permission stating that the development was out of scale with the surrounding properties and that it would be incompatible with the principles of sustainable development.

Now the authority's planning policy department has said the new application "partially addresses" concerns raised in the last application.

A report prepared by the council says that the scale has been reduced by two homes, but the scale requires further assessment as it still comprises three building blocks of similar size and floor area.

Harmful effects

It adds: "The proposed development has the potential to respect and mitigate for any harmful effects on the landscape, habitat and biodiversity of the application site."

The development site is outside the development boundary of the town, so development would be against planning policy Core Strategy Policy CS5.

The report adds: "The successive submission of applications to develop this land clearly indicate the landowner’s intentions for his land."

As of this week, 23 residents have objected to the plans, and only Shrewsbury Town Council has commented in support.

Residents have complained about the impact on the views from nearby houses, risk to the great crested newt that inhabits the brook in the plot, the increase on traffic to town, pollution from stationary traffic, the local primary school being at capacity, lack of infrastructure, and over development.

A decision will be made by Shropshire Council in the coming weeks.