Albrighton homes plan backed after no-show

Albrighton Parish Council objected to plans to transform the site of McKeand Smith & Co Limited into a mini estate with eight homes.

But nobody from the parish turned up to explain their views to members of Shropshire Council's South Planning Committee, who promptly granted it permission.

The plans involve changing the use of the site from a builder's yard into a residential development, demolishing some buildings to put up new homes, while converting some of the exiting workshop buildings into properties.

Councillors at the meeting held in Shirehall yesterday initially felt the development may have been too crowded, but decided to accept the proposals after a member of the parish council who was scheduled to speak on the plans, failed to turn up.

Councillor Robert Tindall said: "We have not been given the opportunity to speak to anyone about the objections.

"If the parish council is not going to turn up and explain their objections, I think we should recommend to approve.

He added: "There are in existence a number of storage and commercial buildings on the site, but the number of exiting buildings should not have much bearing on the development."

Councillor Madge Shineton said: "This is very much a neglected site in the middle of Albrighton which definitely needs some attention.

"I do think this is overdeveloped. I would have liked to have seen some form of landscaping and perhaps some alternative forms of energy"

The plans had been recommended for approval subject to condition by council officers, but had received four letters of objection from members of the public as well as an objection from Albrighton Parish Council.