Watch: Campaigners protest Wem homes decision at council offices

Plans to build 25 homes off Roden Grove in Wem were given the go-ahead by Shropshire Council's planning officers and not by a meeting of a full planning committee of elected representatives.

This prompted representatives from the Roden Grove Estate Objectors group to gather outside the council building in Shrewsbury to protest at the way the planning decision was made.

Chris Mellings, Shropshire councillor for Wem, said: "The decision had been made behind a computer screen and there are no notes - this is not transparency.

"It should have gone to committee. There is no local support for this.

"The first time we were aware that it was going through was when we asked for a progress check on the application.

"There are lots of applications that go to committee and I don't see what the difference is between those and this one.

"All we keep being told is that it is a sustainable site - which it is far from being.

"We have never supported this site.

"We will keep pushing until they listen to us."

Pauline Dee, Shropshire councillor for Wem, said: "This application went in years ago and the district council turned it down. It is ridiculous. "

Councillor John Murray, of Wem town council, said: "Where is localism. What has happened?

"As usual Shropshire Council has not listened to us. One of the things I will do as mayor of Wem is call on Shropshire Council to listen to us.

"It is essential the town council is listened to. The site is not suitable to be built on - the roads are not going to take any more vehicles using them.

"Any development there is wrong. I will continue to fight for the people of Wem.

"Watch out Shropshire Council as there is a limit to what we can stand for."

Robert Blowing, who lives opposite the site on Brook Drive, said: "I don't think they have followed due process.

"We have so many issues with flooding in the area. Our front garden floods at the moment and the fields were saturated even in July.

"The planning officers are just not listening to us. This application needs to be stopped."

Developers Berrys deny that the site is in a flood zone and say building there will not have any effect on other properties.

Maria Jones, spokeswoman for Shropshire Council, said: "Approval by the planning officer has been granted subject to completion of a S106 Agreement. At this stage therefore the decision has not been formally issued."