Plans for homes at old Oswestry shop thrown out

The controversial plan had been to put four homes on the former Oswald's Stores in Oswalds Well Lane, and had been recommended for approval by planning officers.

But members of Shropshire Council's north planning committee refused permission at a meeting yesterday, saying it would cause issues for drivers and pedestrians as well as being overdevelopment of the corner plot.

Judith Williams, who lives in one of the houses backing on to the plot, urged committee members to reject the plans as the proposed homes would be just one or two metres from the backs of her and her neighbours' homes.

She said there was also an ongoing issue with the developer over access to the back of the new homes, telling the meeting that there are no access rights through the rear of her property into the proposed yard of the new homes - something which had not been made clear on the plans submitted to the meeting.

Councillor Vince Hunt said: "Where are the residents going to put their bins? I'm just concerned that if the houses are built without access to the back being sorted then that will lead to the bins being left on the pavement and that would be dangerous for the children walking to the school just down the road."

Councillors agreed that something needed to be done to improve the site, which has been the subject of numerous planning applications and planning appeals in recent years, but said the plan in front of them would be to much for the location.

Councillor Steve Davenport said: "It's a dreadful site on a dreadful bend in a dangerous position with bins that whatever you say will be left out in the street, because they won't be able to put them around the back."

Members also had ideas for what they would like to see happen on the site.

Councillor Joyce Barrow said: "The ideal situation for me would be if Oswestry Town Council bought it from the bank and turned it into a little rest area with some benches and made it a lovely area to stop and sit."