Councils object to plans for 100 new homes in Wem

Persimmon Homes West Midlands, Northern Trust Limited, and the Harrison family have jointly submitted a reserved matters application for the development on land west of Lowe Hill Road after their outline plans got the green light following an appeal.

Shropshire Council refused the original application in June 2020 due to landscape and visual harm issues, as well as harm to local biodiversity. However, planning inspector, Martin Chandler said that, in support of the appeal, evidence was provided to overcome these matters.

“The council, as well as other interested parties, have had the opportunity to fully appraise this information, and in preparation for the planned hearing, the agreed Statement of Common Ground confirmed that the council no longer wanted to rely on the first refusal reason,” said Mr Chandler, who granted permission for the outline plans in January 2022.

However, Wem Town Council says it continues to have ‘serious concerns’ about the proposed single access into and out of the site due to its proximity to the entrance to Thomas Adams School and the junction with Pyms Road.

“The increased number of vehicles entering and leaving the development will cause significant traffic issues in the town,” said a spokesperson.

“The town council would request an urgent meeting with council officers to discuss these concerns over access in more detail.

“It is the council’s aspiration to extend the route of the current town bus to include new housing developments in the town which would reduce residents’ reliance on vehicles for shorter journeys within the town itself.

“Therefore, the proposed road layout within the development should be designed in such a way as to provide for a potential bus route along with sufficient space for associated public transport infrastructure to facilitate any future expansion of the bus network in the town.”

The spokesperson added that the council is also concerned about the design of the proposed play area on the development.

“No other public open spaces in Wem have wooden play equipment and the council has serious concerns over the longevity of wooden equipment in this location,” said the spokesperson.

“In addition to this, the equipment to be provided is uninspiring for such a large development and not designed for the two-18 age group as stated in the application. The town council would wish to see equipment provided that is of high quality, inclusive and installed on a surface that accessible for all.

“The town council consider that as part of any planning permission a 106 agreement should be agreed that can be put towards infrastructure improvements in the town that may be impacted by a development of this nature.”

The parish council said it also shares concerns about the proposed single access into and out of the site has. John Davison, meanwhile, says that should planning permission be granted, there should be a condition that a minimum of 100 swift nest bricks be installed to enhance biodiversity.

“Swifts are now a ‘red-listed’ species on the list of birds of conservation concern and a priority species for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB),” said Mr Davison.

“Without our help, swifts will be lost as a breeding species in the UK, which will be of great concern to local communities who really value these unique summer visitors.”

Sophie Milburn, planning ecologist at Shropshire Council, said she is satisfied with the bat and bird boxes proposed on the Ecological Enhancements Plan, although added that some of the boxes are going to be illuminated by proposed lighting.

Shropshire Council is set to consider the application in due course.