Newport residents shown revised development plans

More than 250 Newport people attended an exhibition to see revised plans for hundreds of homes, a business park and a huge out-of-town supermarket and petrol station.

Developers Telford and Wrekin Council, St Modwen and Davidsons Developments unveiled their revised proposals for land off Station Road at an exhibition in the town's Cosy Hall last night.

The plans were first revealed in July and the developers say they have been amended based on comments made by townsfolk.

The number of homes planned has been cut to 350 to be built over the next 10 years, lower density housing and more parkland is proposed for fields in Church Aston, and there will trees to screen the supermarket from neighbouring homes.

The developers say their plans will create jobs and encourage people to shop in Newport.

But Sarah Nash, of Church Aston, said: "They have only reduced the housing, they have not gone far enough. The supermarket needs reducing completely. Just get rid of it. And as for open space, it's already open."

Michael Fletcher, of Station Road, said he was keeping "an open mind" over the plans, but added: "I think there are brownfield sites in town that could be used for a supermarket, for example the old sorting office."

David Jones, of Granville Avenue, said it was "fanciful" that people would do their shopping in the supermarket and then leave their shopping locked in their car in order to walk into the town.

Asked if he thought the supermarket would harm the town, he said: "It will certainly do nothing for it."

And David Griffin, of Field Aston, called the proposals "unnecessary". He said: "The location of the supermarket will destroy Newport as a shopping venue for many people."

Council deputy leader Councillor Richard Overton, who has special responsibility for Borough Towns development, said: "Attendance at last night's exhibition was in excess of 200 people.

"The purpose of the evening was to inform as many people as possible about the changes to the plans for Newport and we are pleased that so many people came along to talk to us.

"The forum gave residents, particularly those living near to the proposed development, the opportunity to express their views, to question both the principles and the details of the proposals, and the event provided some lively debate.

"The proposals have three elements; housing, retail and employment, and people had different views on different elements. The questionnaires will be collated, analysed and considered over the coming days. Only then can any conclusions from those who attended be drawn."

The plans can be seen on Telford & Wrekin Council's website, Telford.gov.uk

The Station Road application is one of three being put forward for the town. Developer Indigo Planning has applied for permission to build a 33,000 square foot supermarket off Audley Avenue, and Persimmon Homes and Henry Davidson Developments are proposing up to 300 homes on green field land between Moorfield Lane and Wellington Road.