Group launched to fight Ludlow homes decision

A campaign group has been launched to fight plans to build five luxury homes near Ludlow's 800-year-old St Laurence's Church.

The Stop the Blot campaign includes members of Ludlow Civic Society, Ludlow Town Council, St Laurence's Parochial Church Council and residents angry at plans to build on land behind 9-10 King Street.

Organisers are looking into the possibility of launching a judicial review against a decision to allow the homes to be built by St Laurence Homes made by Shropshire Council's strategic planning committee.

They are also considering a formal complaint to the council over a decision to refer the matter to the strategic planning committee after the authority's south planning committee opposed the plans.

Civic Society chairman John Nash said: "We are getting calls from people all over the country who are upset at what they feel is a travesty of democracy."

Ian Kilby, head of development management at Shropshire Council, said: "The proposal was referred to the strategic planning committee because in the opinion of planning and legal officers the committee's resolution to refuse the application might not be defensible if challenged and result in compensation or damages being available or claimable under a statutory provision."