Controversial Shropshire homes scheme thrown out

The scheme to create the homes off Wem Road in Shawbury was refused by Shropshire Council this week following changes to its housing development plan, known as SAMDev.

Members of the north planning committee voted on a majority to refuse planning permission, in line with the officer's recommendation, despite having granted outline planning permission for it in February, subject to certain conditions.

Members backed Shawbury Parish Council's objections to the plan.

Councillor Steve Davenport said: "In this instance it's out of SAMDev and that's enough for me."

Other concerns over the site had included a lack of public open space in the land and the potential noise nuisance to residents in the new homes caused by the helicopters from the RAF base.

Councillor Pauline Dee said: "With recent events happening around the world I'm sure the pilots will be doing a lot more training and having to put something else in their way with more houses nearby and people possibly complaining does make life very difficult for RAF Shawbury."

Under the SAMDev plans there is one allocated site for development in Shawbury for 50 homes.

The council's principal planning officer Karen Townend said there was scope to allow more housing outside the policy but said this site falls outside the plan.

Some committee members had backed the building of the 25 homes.

Councillor John Cadwallader said: "It's a sustainable site and it's infill and therefore I could be minded to vote against the officer's recommendation on the basis that it's sustainable."

And Councillor Paul Wynn said: "Listening to the villagers they don't want it – but we have to look at the five-year housing supply and this is a sustainable site."