395-home Telford housing estate given go-ahead

Redrow Homes (Midlands) plans to build 395 homes on a site west of Castle Farm Way, in Priorslee.

The scheme was unanimously approved at a Telford & Wrekin Council planning committee meeting last night.

The proposals, which had been recommended for approval before the meeting, envisage a mixture of two, three and four-bedroom houses, as well as one and two-bedroom apartments. A quarter of the homes will be affordable housing, according to reports sent to the planning committee.

Councillor Nicola Lowery told the meeting: “I think we have accepted the principle of the development now but we do have some concerns that need to be addressed like the traffic movements and the amount of sustainable transport options.

“But looking at the positives, I’m happy with the reduction in density and the design is certainly acceptable. It’s also essential we keep the 25 per cent affordable homes.

“Although I do worry about the amount of trees with tree protection orders we will lose. It’s important we retain as many as possible.”

Members also raised concerns about a possible shortage of primary school places.

Capacity

“There’s a lot of development in the area so I don’t want to get to the point where there are no places,” Councillor Lowery said.

Councillor Jayne Greenaway added: “The proposed primary school is so important especially with other schools in the area being at full capacity now.”

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

The parish council said a robust traffic management plan needed to be put in place for the proposed ‘four way’ junction. It pointed out that the opening of a footpath towards Holy Trinity Academy runs on to private land.

The authority also said the opening of the path will give people access to the school’s site – making the school and pupils vulnerable.

There were also four objections from neighbours, who were worried about traffic and security issues.

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.