Mayor demands better new homes in Shrewsbury planning row

Controversial plans for 164 houses on land off Otley Road have moved a step closer.

Council officers have recommend that the plans are approved – but Shrewsbury Town Council has objected to the development, with the mayor today saying the town deserves better quality houses.

The plans are part of a much larger scheme of up to 550 houses, commercial development, a hotel, a care home of up to 70 beds and supporting local centre and community uses.

Work will also involve the building of new estate roads and associated highways works, associated infrastructure, associated earthworks, and landscape works including informal open space and children’s play area, which were given outline permission in 2015.

Shrewsbury Town Council has objected to the plans for the houses and said that there are not enough open spaces, lack of parking, and lack of affordable housing.

Shrewsbury's mayor Jane MacKenzie said she will personally be objecting over the lack of quality and she said she is organising a public meeting to set up a list of principles for quality development to be handed to developers at the first stage of a planning application.

Standards

She said: "I'm going to be objecting over the quality of the building, the lack of imagination and the low standards that property developers seem to be getting away with.

"We're hoping to set up a meeting next month and develop a list of principles which will go to Shropshire Council's planning department and be handed out to developers at the first stage of the planning process.

"We're getting the same old developers thinking they can just push something through that doesn't support the culture and heritage of Shrewsbury.

"It's very disappointing, people deserve better. It's about the next generation not us.

"I'm organising the public meeting for people who are tired of what's happening in Shrewsbury with the development.

"We need development, but just better quality development."

The public meeting will take place at The Guildhall on April 28.

Bellway Homes Ltd have applied to build the homes which would consist of 15 two bedroom houses, 72 houses with three bedrooms, 52 houses with four bedrooms, which would all be private housing.

There would also be a number of affordable homes including four one bedroom apartments, 14 two bedroom houses and seven three bedroom houses.

Shropshire Council's central planning committee will make a decision on the plans on Thursday in Shirehall.