Shropshire Star

Shropshire hillfort plans withdrawn at 11th hour

A bid to build homes and holiday chalets next to a Shropshire hillfort have been withdrawn at the 11th hour.

Published

The plans by Morris Properties for New House Farm, close to Caer Caradoc hillfort, near Church Stretton, could have seen 65 homes and 16 holiday chalets built on the outskirts of the town.

Two protests had been planned for Tuesday, the day the application was due to be heard by Shropshire Council's planning committee, but have now been called off.

The first would have been in the morning at New House Farm, when the proposed development site was to be visited by councillors.

The second protest would have been at Shrewsbury's Shirehall later the same day, where the application was due to be heard by the committee.

John Woolmer, spokesman for the protesters and member of South Shropshire Campaign to protect Rural England, said he was delighted by the news.

He said: "It was a surprise to hear that Morris Properties had withdrawn their application so late in the day.

"I was informed by planning officer Grahame French, who wrote to all concerned parties to inform them of the withdrawal.

"I am relieved of course, as is everyone else who protested against the development, but I have to say I remain suspicious about the long-term intentions of the developers.

"This has dragged on for two years and Morris Properties have invested a great deal of time and money into the planning application.

"This struggle has always felt like a David and Goliath situation and I can't believe that Goliath will give up so easily," he added.

Tim Rogers, Shropshire Council's area planning officer, confirmed that Morris Property had withdrawn their application on Thursday.

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