The fate of a proposed £5 million scheme in Shrewsbury which would see three shops that are still in business bulldozed will be decided at a special planning meeting next month.

Council bosses today confirmed the date for the crunch meeting, which is needed after councillors were unable to decide whether to approve or refuse plans for 38 new affordable homes in Moston Road.

The plans would see a row of shops being bulldozed, including three – a convenience store, hairdressers and fish and chip shop – which are still in use. A further three shops which are not in use would also be bulldozed.

But shopkeepers and local residents have hit out at the joint scheme by Severnside Housing and Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, with their concerns about the loss of the shops sparking a petition signed by more than 800 people.

And more than 300 letters specifically requesting the current convenience store be saved were lodged with the council.

The plans were debated by the borough council’s development control committee earlier this week but councillors were split over their decision.

Councillor Judith Williams, chairman of the committee, said the decision should go to the planning committee.

A spokeswoman for SABC said the planning committee meeting would be held at 6pm on July 28.