200 homes plan for Ludlow set to go-ahead

Shropshire Council approved full planning permission for 68 homes at Rocks Green, this week, with outline permission for up to 200 homes also granted for the site.

The first phase of the scheme contains 12 affordable homes, with building work due to start within the next three years. The site is just east of the main A49 bypass.

The proposals were put forward by J Ross Developments and the development will be built in three phases.

Councillor Andy Boddington, Shropshire Council member for Ludlow North, said he welcomed the affordable housing benefit to the town.

He said: “It was always expected that given the Ludlow housing market, the build-out of this site will be slow. But at least there is a sign that we might get housing built.

“The affordable housing is very welcome and very much needed.”

Roundabout

The site is accessed from the A4117, initially via a T-junction. Land has been reserved for a future roundabout at a later stage.

Councillor Boddington added: “A link road threads through the site. Ultimately, it will join up with a road between Sheet Village and the Eco Park.

“There is vague talk of a masterplan for the whole area east of the bypass. This is required urgently.

“People can no more hold back housing development than they can the tide. So, we must plan for development properly.

“Right now we are adding bits on to Ludlow one chunk at a time.

“We need a spatial vision for the long-term future but that is missing both locally and in Shirehall.

“Last March, housebuilder Pickstock Homes said it wanted to start building the first phase by the end of 2018, so we might expect work to begin quickly.

“It will take two to three years to complete. Planning laws decree that work on the first phase must begin within three years of the date of permission.

“That can mean as little as getting a bulldozer in for a day but I think there is a real commitment to this site.”

By Andrew Morris, Local Democracy Reporter