Tern Hill motel plans rejected

Controversial plans to build a 40-bedroom motel beside two main roads in north Shropshire have been thrown out after almost 1,000 objectors fearing traffic and pollution problems signed a petition.

But the row over whether to allow the motel beside the A41 and A53 junction in Tern Hill, near Market Drayton, looks set to rumble on because Shropshire Council fears it could be forced to foot the bill if applicant Arthur Bevan successfully appeals in future.

Members of the council's north planning committee yesterday turned down outline plans for the scheme, despite it being recommended for approval by planning officers.

At the meeting in Wem, Shaun Jones, planning agent for the applicant, accused campaigners of using dirty tricks to inflate the number of signatories.

He said: "The objectors have 963 signatories but some are names from people living in Kent, Wem and Shrewsbury."

But Councillor Alison Bates, of Sutton on Tern Parish Council, spoke on behalf of her own council and the Hodnet and Moreton Say parishes, which all objected to the scheme.

She said: "We are seriously concerned about building a motel on this dangerous junction."