Shropshire hill fort homes decision 'due in weeks'

Planning officers at Shropshire Council say they will "not entertain" yet more revisions to the plans to build the homes and 16 holiday cabins at Cwms Lane, next to Caer Caradoc hill fort, near Church Stretton.

Church Stretton Town Council, which has spearheaded fervent opposition to the plans, has written to Shropshire Council demanding to know why the process has been allowed to drag on – and the authorities own planners have agreed enough is enough. It has been 11 months since plans were submitted, and years since it was first mooted by developer Morris Property at the land near New House Farm.

Other groups opposed to the plans include Shropshire Hills AONB partnership, Campaign to Protect Rural England and Strettons Civic Society.

In the letter, town mayor Councillor Michael Walker pointed out that Shropshire Council officers had refused a similar plan on the edge of Ludlow – 137 houses at Foldgate Farm – without it needing to go before the south planning committee.

Grahame French, principal planner with Shropshire Council, confirmed that while the council was obliged to accept amended plans during the process, "the agent has been informed that the council does not wish to entertain any subsequent amendments to the scheme and is intending to determine the application after the current consultation period on recently submitted changes ends."

It is hoped a decision on the homes will be made in November.