Gridlock fears for Ellesmere as housing plan approved
A town’s former railway station site will be turned into a housing development after councillors gave the plans the green light.
Shropshire Council’s north planning committee met yesterday to discuss hybrid plans to build on the Old Railway Station, Ellesmere.
They granted Homes England outline planning permission to build 58 homes and full permission to convert the listed station building into seven flats.
It comes despite objections from local residents, businesses and Ellesmere Town Council over access to the site.
Councillor Ann Hartley, for Ellesmere, said while the town is not against development, the access to the development was unsuitable.
“I completely support the development of a brownfield site,” she said.
“And I would love to see the old station, a really lovely building, being put into use again.
“However, I do have a real problem with access to the development. It’s totally unsuitable.”
Gridlock
She said it would bring at least an extra 100 cars to the already congested Brownlow Road and Trimpley Street.
“Brownlow Road is a major walking and cycling route, and is used to get to the local primary school and Lakelands Academy which we should encourage.
“But just last week a young boy was knocked off his bike on Brownlow Road.
"And I have lived on Trimpley Street for the last six years and the traffic has already increased exponentially.”
Access to the land is via Brownlow Road and the applicant will have to make a £10,000 contribution for highways works.
Councillor Steve Davenport said the money offered by the applicant is not enough to carry out the necessary works.
He said: “I would suggest that if this was to be agreed, there would need to be a contribution of £150,000 minimum.
"As it is, it will not work and it will gridlock Ellesmere.”
Councillor Vince Hunt said: “If we were to say no to this application, the applicant could presumably go ahead and build the homes anyway and then the station building would be left to decay.”
