Village motel plans labelled outrageous

The Shropshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England has put in an official objection to Mr King’s plans for a 30-bedroom motel on land he owns opposite his Ye Olde Cross Gates pub in Ford, near Shrewsbury.

The proposals have already attracted strong opposition from Ford Bowling Club, whose bowling green sits on the land earmarked for development.

And now the CPRE have put in an official objection to the proposals, stating that the village bowling green should be protected.

“Ford Bowling Club has been one of the premier clubs in the county for the majority of its 80-year existence.

“In addition to running regular league matches on three nights of the week during the summer, other events are held on an irregular basis, both in the evenings and at weekends,” the group said.

Valuable

“Furthermore, both non members and the children at Trinity School are able to take advantage of the facility as well.

“As such the bowling green has become one of the most valuable amenities of the village and is one of the centres of village activity. The suggestion to build a motel on the bowling green is outrageous.”

It comes as further opposition to the scheme was also given by the Shropshire Playing Fields Association.

David Kilby, secretary of the organisation, said: “The Shropshire Playing Fields Association strongly objects to the application to build a 30-bedroom motel.

“We believe pursuit of profit before a community’s health and wellbeing should not be the sole consideration for passing an application of this nature.

“We suggest a balanced approach be taken when considering the merits of the scheme, recommending a cost-benefit analysis be carried out to analyse the full impact.”

Mr King, who has spells in charge of both Shrewsbury Town and Telford United, has said the plans will help create jobs and secure the future of the Ye Olde Cross Gates pub, which he took over last year.