Shropshire Star

Campaign to stop Oswestry flats build wins backing from councillors

A campaign to stop a four-storey block of 55 care apartments aimed at older people being built has won the backing of councillors.

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Members of Oswestry Town Council condemned the plans put forward by Wrekin Housing Trust to build the block and eight bungalows in Alexandra Road in the town.

It comes after residents in the area launched a petition over in a bid to stop the plans from going ahead, amid claims some people were having sleepless nights worrying about the proposals.

Members of the development and planning committee unanimously opposed the plans, claiming a four-storey development was out of keeping with its surroundings.

The committee's views will be considered when Shropshire Council's north planning committee decides on the proposals.

Wrekin Housing Trust wants to offer the apartments and bungalows to people over the age of 55 to allow them to live independently for as long as possible.

The scheme would also include a residents' lounge, hobbies room and a cafe, as well as a range of organised social activities.

The cafe would also open to the wider local community and a multifunction room would be available for hire to local community groups and residents.

Lyn MacDonald, one of the residents protesting against the development, spoke at Monday night's (JAN 26) meeting to share the concerns of local people.

She told the meeting: "Many of my neighbours have been becoming ill with worry and having sleepless nights because they are thinking about this.

"We say yes to a development which will not negatively impact on residents' lives, but this is four-storey block of flats squashed into such a small space which is already very crowded."

Committee chairman Chris Stokes said: "We support in general terms that some development should be allowed on this site, but we object to this plan. Four storeys is out of keeping with the rest of the area, which is two storeys."

"A previous application for this site was for 35 homes – this increase is unacceptable."

Councillor Vince Hunt, who sits on Shropshire Council's north planning committee, confirmed the application would be decided by the committee members, but said he would not take part in the discussions.

"I've told planning officers I'm not happy with it. It's not in keeping with the area," he said.

"It's absolutely the right use for that piece of land, and I've already had two residents ask me how they could get rooms there, but it's overdevelopment. Four storeys is too many."

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