Bridgnorth housing plans thrown out by council

Councillors rejected the plans for 10 homes off Oldbury Road in Bridgnorth to save the protected area.

Members of Shropshire Council's south planning committee originally rejected the plans at their meeting in June.

But they were forced to make a decision on them again at yesterday's meeting after the proposals had not been given the full 14 days for comments after being publicised in the local press.

But members stuck with their original decision and refused to allow the development within the Oldbury Conservation area.

Councillor Andy Boddington said: "It is a conservation area full stop.

"The moment we begin to undercut these designations, all we are doing is undercutting our own policies for the protection of heritage and the protection of heritage."

The plans were unanimously refused by members at the meeting held in Shirehall.

Members also approved resubmitted plans for a development on St Stephen's Place in Bridgnorth.

Plans had been put forward by Bridgnorth Housing Trust for 27 homes in the area earlier in the year, which councillors had rejected as an overdeveloped of the site.

However, plans had been resubmitted to include just 22 homes of a reduced height.

Councillor Robert Tindall said: "I am still very unhappy with this scheme.

"There are better heights. But this development neither complements the existing architecture nor is it a striking piece of modern architecture that will stand on its own."

However, Councillor Stuart West, chair of the committee said: "These plans are far better than they were before.

"There are not many applications we get where we can't say they could do better or they could change things.

"They have reduced the number of homes but, if they reduce them any more, there is a point where it doesn't become economical.

"I am not totally against the proposals."

The plans were approved with a majority of four councillors against three, with two abstentions.