Villagers gear up for homes bid fight
People from a north Shropshire village are fighting five separate applications that could see a development of more than 100 homes expand the area.
Hinstock, near Market Drayton, has become a hotspot for development following a recent application that could take the new homes total to 136.
Many villagers are saying they believe it could ruin the character of the area.
Ian Simpson objected to plans for eight homes on Newport Road by commenting on the Shropshire Council website. He said: "We do not need any more properties building in Hinstock. Enough is enough – these are proposed on green belt land and just not required.
"The field subject to this application is a habitat for newts and toads along with many other types of wildlife, and I strongly object to its loss."
Plans have been submitted for another 47 properties on land off Chester Road, 36 on land east of Chester Road, 13 off Manor Farm Drive, 30 at the site of Lazy Days Motor Homes Sales Centre on the A41, and two off Marsh Lane.
Raising concerns about the 36 homes proposed for land east of Chester Road, the nearby residential care home has said that the access to and from the site along Manor Farm Drive is the main problem. It has said that a better access point could be made elsewhere, allowing minimal traffic down the narrow road.
Chair of Hinstock Parish Council, Mark Williams, said many residents have supported the various applications.
He said: "I cannot comment from a council point of view of course, because we haven't discussed it yet.
"A lot of people feel that housing coming into the village is a positive thing... Of course some people that are directly and closely affected by the plans are concerned, so there isn't an overall consensus as yet."
The applications are available to view on the Shropshire Council website and will be discussed at the next council meeting.
