Bosses behind plans to redevelop redundant industrial buildings and create more than 100 homes in a Shropshire town today hit back at negative comments.

Officials from Muller England Ltd said it was hard to understand objections made by planners and Advantage West Midlands (AWM) over proposals for its former business site in Cleobury Mortimer.

Muller England’s chief executive, Graham Farr, today said: “It is difficult for us to understand the comments. We are offering part of this land to the district council for them to use as they see fit.

“We have deliberately given them a totally free option to use it to benefit the local community.”

The statement comes after council planning officers recommended the development of the low cost open market houses on the firm’s former site should be refused at tomorrow’s planning meeting.

Mr Farr said it had been hoped the scheme would bring employment security, more jobs and affordable housing to the region.

Planning officers say the proposal, which would consist of a mix of homes, including one and two bedroom houses and flats, should be refused as it will mean losing employment land which would go against objectives set out in planning documents.

But Muller England bosses believe that any question regarding the availability of employment land locally would not appear to be an issue.

Mr Farr said options for the acre of land earmarked for community use could include a medical centre, affordable housing or industrial units.