Fury at 'lost' motel plans

A bid to build a 40-bedroom motel in north Shropshire has been put on ice after furious residents claimed their objections to the plans were "lost".

Officials today admitted representations over plans for the motel in Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, had been "missed" and they are now investigating why this happened. The scheme is earmarked for a site near the A41 and A53 roundabout.

It was due to go before councillors yesterday, but because of the problem they pulled the plans from the agenda and people are being asked to resubmit their comments with the proposals now due to be heard in the near future.

Residents in Tern Hill claim they flooded Shropshire Council's planning department with letters about the application, but several of their objections were not considered.

In a letter to the council's chief executive, resident Keith Roberts said the problem cast doubt about all planning decisions made by the council.

He said at least seven objections filed by himself and neighbours appeared to have been lost.

"I wish to complain most strongly about the maladministration regarding how Shropshire Council planning department is failing to consider correctly duly made planning objections," he said.

"As a result of the problems with this case it is highly likely that other planning applications have been processed or are being processed without all letters of objection or support being brought to the planning officer's attention."

Gareth Proffitt, a spokesman for the council, said the objections were discovered late, so the application was removed from yesterday's meeting and will be considered at a later date.

He said: "We are currently looking into what's happened and how these representations were initially missed.

"Officers belatedly became aware of a number of additional representations that had been submitted and these must be taken into account before the application can be considered by the committee.

"We have therefore asked people who made comments to re-submit them. Following this, the application will be reconsidered in the light of all the representations."

By Abigail Bates and Deborah Collins