Clerk's tears after plans to build homes in Shropshire village rejected
A parish clerk sobbed with relief after councillors threw out plans to build dozens of houses in his Shropshire village.
Ian Hutchinson made an emotional plea to Shropshire Council's central planning committee yesterday, begging members not to allow 34 houses to be built in Montford Bridge.
Councillors were visibly moved by his appeal and he broke down entirely after they unanimously voted against the proposals at the Shirehall meeting.
The decision comes after a difficult year for the committee, which has been faced with a number of controversial planning applications, many of which they have had no choice but to approve because the county does not yet have a five-year supply of building land.
Councillors agreed that the damage to Montford Bridge by building more homes would be "irrevocable".
Mr Hutchinson was hugged and congratulated following the decision.
He spoke on behalf of Montford Bridge Parish Council, but had to cut his speech short because he was so overcome by emotion.
As he struggled to gain composure, Mr Hutchinson said: "I am sorry for the emotion but this is how we feel.
"I can only talk of the accumulative impact this development would have.
"I know what a difficult job you have here and we completely sympathise with the five-year land supply.
I represent good decent people and all we are asking you to do is to fight for what you believe in."
