Planning inspector to have final say on homes rejected by Shropshire Council

Government inspectors will have the final say on plans to create nearly 40 homes in north Shropshire.

Three appeals have been lodged looking to overturn Shropshire Council's decision to throw out separate plans to create homes in Baschurch, Harmer Hill and Pipe Gate, near Market Drayton.

In March, the unitary authority ruled that outline proposals for up to 20 affordable homes north of Stony Yard in Baschurch would cause more harm than good to the area.

But applicant WLR Gwilt claims the scheme supports local planning policy and the site is currently "underutilised" agricultural land.

A statement on behalf of the applicant added: "The appeal site can contribute to boosting housing supply.

"The case officer acknowledges that the scheme provides direct and indirect economic benefits in terms of construction and the long-term economic activity."

A separate outline scheme to create up to eight affordable homes off Ellesmere Road in Harmer Hill, near Wem, was thrown out by Shropshire Council in December last year.

Planning officers ruled the development would result in pedestrians having to walk along a severely restricted and narrow pavement to gain access to the village and local facilities. But, in a statement, applicant Saxonby (Affordable Housing) Ltd said: "The Myddle and Broughton community-led plan in May 2013 explains that 53 per cent of people were in favour of some new housing being built in the parish with a strong support for the building of affordable housing for people to either buy or rent.

"The social and economic benefits of this development significantly and demonstrably outweigh the costs."

Meanwhile, outline plans to create nine homes to the south of the A51 in Pipe Gate were thrown out by the council in January.

Planning officers said the site is in a countryside location and outside the settlement of Pipe Gate where new housing is not supported.

But a statement on behalf of the applicant, Dawn Hart, said: "The applicant simply intends to provide a development that they feel is appropriate to the locality.

"The provision of family homes will accommodate families wishing to be part of these rural communities.

"The provision of this additional housing will seek to support local services and encourage their growth."

All of the appeals lodged by developers are set to be determined by inspectors via written representations over the next few months.