Councillors silent on refusal of plans for 200 homes near Ludlow at inquiry

At a public inquiry which was continuing today, Shropshire Council said it will not defend its decision in public.

The inquiry is to determine whether 215 homes will be built on the edge of Ludlow and follows an appeal by Tesni Properties after their original proposal was refused by the council in July 2014 and again in February 2015.

The plans would see the houses built on land off the A49 and Bromfield Road. There would also be a new island off the trunk road, a park on the banks of the river and a new shop in Bromfield Road.

On day one of the inquiry at Shirehall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire Council decided to table no evidence to back up the reasons they had twice rejected the proposal.

Tim Rogers, area planning manager for the council, said: "It is unusual that we offer no evidence, but we have been in this position from early on in the appeal process.

"Reasons given in the original refusal were all technical and, in opinion of officers and members, couldn't be substantiated at appeal."

The council had originally refused the application with multiple concerns over poor access from the A49, possible flooding from the River Corve and proximity to the railway.

Roger Lancaster, counsel for Tesni, said: "The council's position has totally changed. There is now nothing between the principal parties and the council no longer seeks to justify its reason for refusal.

"The Statement of Common Ground dated July 15, 2015, confirms beyond doubt that the matters on which the council based its refusal have all been conceded."

Glen Ginger, town councillor for Ludlow,

said: "The refusal had not been withdrawn, just not defended – it is an unsuitable location for a residential development."

The inquiry continues.