Homes get go-ahead at former Telford concrete works
More than 50 homes will be built on the site of a former concrete works in Telford – despite concerns about links to the local area and lack of affordable housing.
Councillors voted unanimously to allow the work to go ahead, but said that traffic around the site off Lightmoor Road in Lightmoor would be dangerous to young children travelling to school if speed on the roads wasn't tightly controlled.
The concrete works have been disused since 1993 and was described as an "eyesore" by councillors, but they felt more had to be done to ensure safety.
Councillor Charles Smith, who sits on Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee, said: "We need housing in the area. This brings a derelict site that was brown field back into proper use for the future.
"Lightmoor Road should be made 30mph. When you travel up it and see someone coming at you at 60mph, it's quite frightening. The concrete works was a terrible place to get to.
"I recommend if we let it go ahead, the road must be made 30mph to comply with the road safety of people using that lane."
The committee, which discussed the plans at a meeting on Wednesday, also noted the lack of affordable housing linked with the plans. But officers said that the cost of preparing the land meant made low cost houses impossible to add to the scheme.
Dawley Hamlets Parish Council warned against allowing the site to go ahead.
They claimed that the area regularly floods and that work is needed on the site's drainage.
Drainage officers said that they supported the application, subject to conditions requiring the submission of drainage details.
But in the report, under the heading flood risks and drainage, it says that the development does lie within a flood zone.
The plans were recommended for approval by officers, subject to conditions.
They included Section 106 contributions of £30,000 towards creating definitive rights of way to local amenities in Lightmoor centre, £5,000 towards the implementation of a speed restriction traffic regulation order and signage in Lightmoor Road.
A further £600 per home would be requested towards improving existing children's equipped play facilities in Lightmoor Village and a further £600 per home towards sport and recreation facilities in Lightmoor Village.
The development would also be subject to a further contribution of £121,131 towards educational facilities at Captain Webb Primary School in Dawley.
