Fears Shropshire village can't cope as homes bid backed

The plans for a site off the A41 Chester Road in Hinstock, near Market Drayton, include 36 homes and a recreational ground – but villagers fear too much development is being given approval in the village.

The houses will include 24 three-bed homes along with 12 four-bed homes and nearly two hectares of "recreation land".

Planning officer Tim Rogers said that 19 letters have been put forward raising concerns that the village is already at maximum size, there is no need for more houses and there would be added pressure on the school.

Resident James Sidaway had objected to the plans in a bid to see the village kept as it currently is.

He said: "Hinstock village will not be able to cope with more people.

"The school isn't big enough for more children who will be living in the village plus there is no public transport. The village should be left alone as it has grown to its maximum and won't cope with any more homes.

"There are a lot of unsold houses for sale in Hinstock already so why do we need more housing? I truly believe Hinstock has reached its full capacity and should be as it was intended to be – a village."

But Mr Rogers said the proposed development will bring "economic, social and environmental gains which are not outweighed by the harm of the development". He added that since access to the site had changed from off Manor Farm Drive to Chester Road, issues had been resolved and the scheme could be given permission by planners.

The plans were initially set for council approval earlier this year subject to planning technicalities.

But the scheme was looked at again after "advances" with the SAMDev plan – which looks at where development should be allowed in areas across Shropshire.

Planning officers decided that the application complied with the plan and a final decision was made this week to grant permission. The scheme was described as "sustainable" and officers were able to give outline planning permission to the application.

Villagers have been fighting a number of applications this year that could see more than 100 homes built in the area.

Outline permission was granted in February for 47 homes to be built off Chester Road, while another scheme for 30 homes at the site of Lazy Days Motor Homes Sales Centre on the A41 was thrown out by planning officers before also being refused by the planning inspectorate on appeal.

An application for six homes off Manor Farm Drive is awaiting a decision from Shropshire Council.