Cricket club supports plan for homes near Market Drayton

Woore Cricket Club said Newcastle Road in the village near Market Drayton is the perfect location to create the homes.

The scheme, for up to 54 homes, is currently the subject of a planning appeal after applicants appealed to a government planning inspector to overturn Shropshire Council's decision to refuse it.

Pat Cooper, secretary of Woore Cricket Club, said: "We whole heartily believe that the village as a village hub needs expanding and the perfect location for this is indeed Newcastle Road.

"The village had three pubs, a post office and a food shop. The village needs new blood and there are no highway issues.

"The local school is adequate thus we support in full the application for 54 houses.

"We at the cricket club have about 100 juniors from the village who come to practice on a Friday night, where a wonderful family night is experienced.

"We would look forward to welcoming more families from the new build."

The application was turned down last year by Shropshire Council's planning officers who said they felt it would have a significant impact on the area.

Woore Parish Council objected to the proposal after claiming new housing developments were not appropriate.

Shropshire Council received more than 20 letters of objection from residents who raised concerns about traffic and the extra strain it would put on the local school and doctor's surgery.

Residents also raised concerns that the development would "stretch the village out" and change the community feel of the area.

Berrys submitted the plans in November 2014 and said there would be eight affordable homes in the development with most of the homes two-storey.

An appeal statement on behalf of the applicant said: the development can provide a safe means of access and sustainable drainage.

At a planning hearing held in June Berrys said while it accepts Shropshire can meet its specified five-year housing supply, it believes the supply figures are not based on up-to-date information taking into account market adjustments and other factors.

Planning inspector Nigel Harrison said the issue of the county's housing supply should not have to be brought up at every planning appeal hearing.

Mr Harrison will consider the plans along with all the information given at the hearing before coming up with a final decision on whether the scheme should be given the go ahead.