Shropshire Star

Bid to overturn ruling on plan for 39 homes in Whitchurch

Controversial plans to build up to 39 homes in a Whitchurch could bring up to £15 million inward investment and affordable housing, a public inquiry heard.

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However, government planning inspector Richard McCoy, heard that outline plans by the Muller Property Group to build the homes off Tarporley Road, were still being opposed by Welsh Water regarding the impact on the foul drainage system.

Whitchurch Town Council has also objected after raising concerns about waste water and the scheme being outside Shropshire Council's own housing development plan, known as SAMDev.

The developers are appealing against Shropshire Council's decision to refuse the scheme for a mix of two to four-bedroom homes with private garden space and an area of public open space on the northern side of the site.

Thea Osmund-Smith, for Muller, said: "It is abundantly clear that there is only very limited harm to be weighed against a number of very significant benefits – chief among them, the provision of market and affordable housing.

"The site is entirely suitable to accommodate residential development and there is no sensible basis on which to resist the grant of planning permission."

She said that there is a need for affordable housing in North Shropshire and referred to "delivery problems" on the proposed targets.

"The proposal would lead to direct investment of around £3.9 million in the local construction sector and indirect economic activity generated by the development in the region of £11.1 million."

But Gary Grant, a barrister acting for Shropshire Council, said the Local Planning Authority had refused the application on the advice of Welsh Water who retain their objection.

Council officials had refused planning permission for a number of reasons, including the site not being a recognised area for development and it also having a number of "heritage assets", including The Old Rectory, the Game Larder and the Ice House. The site was purchased in 1791 by Frances Henry Egerton and went on to be owned by the British Museum.

Mr Grant said: "

The benefits of housing do not outweigh the considerable harm. The planning balance in the present case weighs firmly in the direction of refusal. Accordingly you (Mr McCoy) will be invited to dismiss this appeal."

Opening the inquiry in Oswestry, Mr McCoy called for it to be held in two parts; the second part to be held in the autumn, to allow more time to fully consider the drainage issue.

Shropshire Council received about 10 letters from the public concerned about access and the town's infrastructure not being able to cope with new homes.

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