Plans to build about 70 new homes on an industrial site in Cleobury Mortimer have been turned down – even though the town’s councillor said it should have gone ahead.

A meeting yesterday of South Shropshire District Council refused an application from Muller England Ltd to redevelop a 6.4 acre site off Ludlow Road, in Cleobury Mortimer.

Muller England had asked South Shropshire District Council for permission to build homes, parking spaces, workshops, play areas and live/work studios. However, councillors were concerned that it would represent a significant loss in employment land.

They said they would rather the site was redeveloped as part of a scheme to bring jobs to the town. Councillors voted 6-4 against the scheme.

Councillor Betty Davies said there were many positive aspects to the proposals. She voted in favour of them being approved and said they could have led to better services for residents.

She said: “We need better infrastructure in the town. I don’t want to throw out all of this because there are good parts to it. The last thing Cleobury Mortimer needs right now is houses without infrastructure.”

District planning boss Jake Berriman added there had been objections from local residents who were concerned about the loss of valuable employment land.

The Shropshire Wildlife Trust also had concerns about the plans.