Petition launched in fight on Shropshire home plans

Dozens of people living in and near to Wilcott, close to Nesscliffe, have lodged objections with Shropshire Council over the four planning applications submitted by Mr TE Jones.

The applications are to build 28 houses on a site east of the playground in Wilcot Avenue, 10 homes on a site west of the playground, and 11 homes on a site to the south of Queensway.

A fourth application is for three homes to be created from old farm buildings at Kinton.

Eric Leach, of Kingsway, Nesscliffe, described the proposals as "a concrete jungle".

He said: "I came to settle in Nesscliffe some 25 years ago because of the location.

"Since then a motorway(sic) has been built not far from my house, in addition two houses have been built in front of mine.

"Now this Mr Jones wants to build 28 homes to the rear of my house spoiling what view I have.

"I do not intend to be surrounded by a concrete jungle. Residents of this small estate are up in arms about this development," he added.

The planning application states that the development would provide "a natural infilling opportunity within the village" and the new homes would be able to make use of the local facilities in Nesscliffe.

It also says that the homes will go towards meeting Shropshire Council's five-year housing supply target.

However, local resident Sam Wilkinson, of Wilcot Avenue, said: "We object to this application as we do all of Mr Jones's other ill-conceived applications.

"Zero consideration has been given to the existing local residents.

"These proposed developments will ruin what is, and hopefully will remain, a peaceful rural hamlet and turn it into an overcrowded suburbia.

"Wilcott does not need more houses, full stop.

"These applications are a transparent money-grabbing exercise from the applicant, who clearly has no regard for the character of Wilcott or Nesscliffe, the safety of its residents and their children, or the environmental impact of these unsuitable developments," added Mr Wilkinson.

"A real door-to-door public consultation should be or should have been undertaken so the decision makers can see first hand that all of Mr Jones' s applications are absurd."

A petition of 90 signatures has been submitted to Shropshire Council planners and it is expected that the applications will be decided by the council's planning committee later in the year.

Berrys, the agents acting on behalf of the developer, were unavailable for comment on the proposals.