Plans submitted for 137 homes at Ludlow site

Applicants Richborough Estates have submitted the plans to build the homes off the A49 bypass at Foldgate Lane.

The plan involves demolition of existing agricultural buildings and creation of access for vehicles from the A49.

The application includes 12 two-bedroom houses and bungalows, 41 three-bedroom houses, 28 four-bedroom houses and 36 five-bedroom houses.

There will be 20 affordable homes, consisting of nine two-bedroom/four person houses and 11 three-bedroom/five person houses.

The Wrekin Housing Trust has shown an interest in the affordable housing and backed the plans.

David Garratt, from the trust, said: "These supporting comments are made on behalf of the Wrekin Housing Trust and focus on the need for additional affordable housing provision in and around Ludlow.

"We attended the public consultation event in July 2014 to discuss the importance of this matter directly with representatives from Richborough Estates. We were please to see that the proposal and supporting information recognised the potential that this scheme has to deliver a proportion of affordable homes that we can acquire and allocate to people from the Councils Housing Register (Shropshire HomePoint).

"We can confirm that there is a significant unmet need for additional affordable housing in the area and would encourage early formulation of a detailed scheme that delivers the required percentage of affordable homes as determined through council policy."

But there have already been a number of objections from residents lodged with Shropshire Council.

Timothy Cammish said: "I think the proposed access arrangement from the A49 is dangerous, this is a fast road which has a bend at the point the new road would join. The A49/Sheet Road roundabout is already busy and would become busier and more dangerous.

"The development would destroy existing farmland, and have a negative effect on the environment especially wildlife. I have observed buzzards, sparrowhawks, red kites as well as bats hunting over the site.

"I feel that surrounding a listed building, Foldgate Farm, with urban development would be detrimental."

Fellow objector Janet Price added: "As local residents of Foldgate View we are very concerned about these proposals as we feel the development is not practical.

"Our main concerns are safety, flooding and sewerage.

"Most local residents would agree that the roundabout at Tuffins is dangerous enough as it is.Traffic tends to speed up as it exits the roundabout so to introduce a junction on a sweeping stretch of road where you cannot see clearly has the potential to be an accident blackspot.

"We also feel the traffic management proposed for Foldgate Lane has not been thought through and potentially could be very dangerous for pedestrians.

"We understand the need for affordable houses but do not feel that this location is suitable."