395 homes plan for Telford recommended for approval

Redrow Homes (Midlands) wants to build 395 homes on land west of Castle Farm Way in Priorslee.

The scheme is expected to be discussed at a Telford & Wrekin Council planning committee meeting next week and is recommended for approval.

The plans involve building a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom houses, as well as one and two-bedroom flats.

A quarter of the homes would be affordable housing, according to a report to the committee.

But the scheme has received objections from St Georges & Priorslee Parish Council and Telford & Wrekin Councillor Veronica Fletcher, who represents Priorslee.

The parish council says a robust traffic management plan needs to be put in place for the proposed "four way" junction and the opening of a footpath towards Holy Trinity Academy runs onto private land.

The authority says the opening of the path will give people access to the school's site and therefore make the school and pupils vulnerable.

Councillor Fletcher has also objected to the application due to the access issue.

There have been four objections from neighbours who are worried about traffic and security issues, as well as the impact on primary and secondary schools in the area.

The headteacher of Holy Trinity Academy also sent in a letter outlining a number of concerns, including the footpath links to the school and potential flooding risks.

But in a report to the planning committee, officer Daniel Owen recommends the scheme for approval.

The recommendation is based on financial contributions being made by the developer towards highway improvements and education.

In the report, Mr Owen said: "The proposal would provide employment associated with the development and additional spending in the local economy to support businesses and services. This would be a benefit of the proposal.

"The provision of additional market and affordable housing is also a benefit of the proposal despite the fact that the council can demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land.

"It is not considered that there are any material considerations that would sufficiently weigh against this and as such the application is considered to be acceptable."

The planning committee meeting will take place at Charlton School, in Apley Avenue, Wellington, next Wednesday at 6pm.

Members of the public are invited to attend.