Plans for eco-homes put on display

An exhibition has been held in Shrewsbury to explain the details of a controversial planning application to build five massive luxury eco-friendly homes.

Plans to develop land at Pengrove, Kingsland, near the old brewery in Longden Coleham, have sparked a storm of opposition across Shrewsbury - but developers claim incorrect rumours have been spread about them.

Planning agent Les Stephan, who represents developers G C Rickard, staged an exhibition on Monday in Longden Coleham.

Each house will be made from a different material and they have been called "the slate house", "the copper house", "the timber house", "the black house", and "the white house".

Mr Stephan said: "We want to give people the opportunity to come and look at the plans at their leisure rather than having to go down to the planning department."

Simon Lamprell, of Aedas Architects, based in Shrewsbury, said: "We are trying to make all the houses unique in their own right.

They are each having a different character with the principle material used. The key to it is the sustainable approach to the housing."

Ronald Bowlby, 82, of Uppington Avenue, visited the exhibition.

He said: "I live very nearby and walk along there almost everyday and I'm very conscious of the need to preserve green spaces in Belle Vue and there are not very many."

Mr Bowlby said he was also concerned about the lack of affordable housing for the project.

He said: "There's a desperate need for affordable housing rather than large, luxury houses."

Hendrik and Rebecca Fahrenholt, of Pengrove, visited the exhibition with their daughters Frieda, three, and Anneli, four months.

Mrs Fahrenholt said: "We have come along because it will have an impact on the natural ecological corridor than currently exists and because of the impact on the street and the extra traffic."

Mr Fahrenholt said: "We have seen otters there. There is all sorts of wildlife there. Also at the moment it's a safe place for children to play on and once there is more traffic there, it will be a problem."

By Rebecca Lawrence