Shrewsbury homes plan to go-ahead despite split vote

Members of Shropshire Council's central planning committee granted permission for the housing development off Greenfields Recreation Ground, Falstaff Street, on Thursday.

After visiting the site and hearing about the proposals, the committee was split four against four in the vote.

Despite concerns about increased traffic and congestion, chairman Ted Clarke, who voted in favour of the development, was given the deciding vote.

Councillor Alex Phillips, for Bagley, asked for the decision to be rejected.

He added: "I would also like to speak about the North West Relief Road (NWRR). It has been said significant developments in this area should be linked to the delivery of the NWRR.

"This is clearly a significant development and therefore should not go ahead in the absence of the relief road or risk judicial review.

"Residents would be right to be angry about this in any event, but it's even more understandable in this case because it takes away public park land.

"The committee should not compound the mistakes that have been made in the sale of this land. If it is to go ahead, it should be lower density, legal and working with the community."

Capacity

But planning officer Tim Rogers told members the sale of the land is not relevant to the decision making.

He added: "If subsequently matters come forward that prevent the land being developed, then that is a matter between the land owners and the other parties involved."

Councillor Kevin Pardy said the area is already over-developed and Greenfields School is already over capacity.

In a planning report, Shropshire Council said it is essential that the developers contribute towards the consequential cost of any additional educational facilities through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.

But Councillor Pardy said by the time that funding is secured, it will be too late.

He added: "I've visited that school a number of times and each time I have brought this up and each time I'm promised that things will happen in the future.

"It's time Shropshire stops sitting on their hands and built more schools. Parents are worried about having to take their children across town when they really should be going to their local school."