Plans submitted for 285 homes in Newport

Plans for nearly 300 homes on greenfield land on the outskirts of Newport have been submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council.

The outline application could see 285 homes built over a 10-year period, depending on the housing market.

The proposed site in Wellington Road, close to Moorfield Primary School and Newport Girls' High School, would be used to build homes ranging from two to two-and-a-half storeys high.

The application, submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council by Henry Davidson Developments, would see up to 35 per cent of the homes made affordable.

• To see the plans click here

Proposals also include a small park which will have a playing pitch, open public space and a children's play area.

It comes as proposals have been put to the public for hundreds of homes on two further sites in Newport.

Resident Diane Wycherley has objected to the plans. In a letter to the council, she said: "I understand that for mainly financial reasons Telford & Wrekin Council is hell-bent on destroying Newport as the market town it has always been. Clearly you want it to become yet another soulless town."

In a similar objection, fellow resident Anne Hewitt said: "I am extremely concerned. Newport is one of the few market towns providing a traditional country life amidst the growing numbers of ghost towns being created by huge developments on the perimeters.

"This also creates a loss of identity to smaller market towns. It would appear that Telford & Wrekin Council is in line for a financial boost if this goes through."

The developers said: "The overall aim is to create a sustainable and distinctive place to live, that will meet a variety of housing needs, including affordable housing, whilst also retaining and enhancing important features, linkages and views and maximising opportunities to integrate with the existing community."

A spokeswoman for Telford & Wrekin Council said the authority would not comment on pending applications.

By Jason Lavan