Shropshire Star

Fresh public inquiry over 110-homes plan for Telford

A fresh public inquiry will be held over plans to build 110 new homes in Telford.

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The hearing over plans on a site in Muxton Lane, Muxton, will be held either later this year or early in 2017.

It comes after Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Greg Clark overturned a decision to reject the project following an appeal by Cheshire-based applicants Gladman Developments Ltd.

Campaigners today said they were "disappointed" at Mr Clark's ruling and revealed a public meeting will be held on July 3 to discuss their next step.

More than 500 people had signed two petitions set up objecting to the proposed development.

Telford & Wrekin Council threw out this scheme in December 2014. Then a revised scheme was also thrown out in October 2015 on the grounds that the proposals would cause significant and irreversible harm to the area.

A subsequent appeal against the council's decision was lodged by Gladman. But this was rejected by a planning inspector in March this year.

The inspectorate made the judgement despite ruling that the homes would cause less harm to the countryside than original proposals – only for a further appeal to be accepted by Mr Clark.

Phil Loughlin, chairman of Opposition to the Building of More Housing in Muxton, said: "As a community we have been campaigning for two years so it will be a long road.

"We have been very successful so far but obviously we are disappointed that the Secretary of State dismissal of the appeal has been quashed.

"I think the reasoning behind this is due to people losing sight that this matter is no longer about what the needs of the community are, but merely legal posturing by Gladman."

"As a community we have always accepted that we are in a growing economy. You can see what's been achieved at Southwater and in Wellington. These developments are driven by a strong economy.

"The focus should be looking for brownfield sites. I don't think green space is there just to be built on."

The public meeting on July 3 will be held at St John's Church, in Saltwells Drive, Muxton, at 6pm.

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