128-home development near Shrewsbury recommended for approval

Councillors are being asked to give the green light to a huge housing development near Shrewsbury.

Shingler Homes is looking to build 128 homes on land between Aries Drive and Poynton Road in Shawbury.

It includes a mix of one to four-bedroom properties, with 13 being classed as affordable. There are also six two-bedroom accessible bungalows.

The scheme includes public open space, including equipped play provision, sustainable drainage infrastructure, pedestrian connections, and including a link to the GP surgery. If approved, the development will be delivered across eight phases for the purposes of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

Shropshire Council's Northern Planning Committee will determine the application next Tuesday (August 18). Planning officers are recommending that members approve the proposal.

In a report, case officer Jenny Powell said a separate application has already been granted allowing a temporary construction access directly from the A53 to the west of the site.

The highways department initially raised concerns regarding access via Aries Drive and routing of construction traffic. However, upon consultation, and having reviewed the amended transport information, junction modelling, travel plan and revised layout proposals, officers deemed that the submitted modelling demonstrated there would be no capacity issues.

The Local Lead Flood Authority also originally objected and raised concerns regarding the location of the attenuation basin, pluvial flood risk, downstream culvert capacity, modelling of the ordinary watercourse, management of external catchments, maintenance responsibilities, discharge calculations, and exceedance routing.

However, it later withdrew its objection and raised no concerns following the submission of additional drainage information, including clarification abut the operation of the proposed mitigation basin.

Tree officers also initially objected, but said that following the submission of amended root barrier plans, their concerns regarding root protection were addressed. There is still a concern about the relationship between retained trees and two of the plots, which the team said should be weighed in the planning balance against the benefits of the development.

Shawbury Parish Council, however, raised a number of concerns. These include the scale of the development and its cumulative impact alongside other schemes in the village - questioning whether there is a clearly evidenced housing need to justify 128 dwellings.

The authority also pointed out issues regarding the highway and access, including pedestrian safety and connectivity, flooding and drainage, local infrastructure capacity, the potential loss or fragmentation of hedgerows and habitats, and the disruption caused by the construction.

In total, 43 objections were submitted by members of the public, including Councillor Alison Williams, with only one in support.

Ms Powell said that while the concerns are acknowledged, the identified harms do not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits. This includes the delivery of market and affordable housing, healthcare contributions, biodiversity enhancements, public open space, and associated infrastructure.

"In light of the council's current housing supply position and having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework's presumption in favour stainable development, the proposal represents a sustainable form of development," said Ms Powell.

"On balance, the material considerations indicate that planning permission should be granted."