Ludlow homes plan finally approved

More than 90 homes will be built on the outskirts of Ludlow after plans were given the go-ahead – more than four years after they were initially unveiled.

The 94 homes will be built on land off Fishmore Road, with work by Shrewsbury-based developers Bovale Ltd due to start in the new year. Contractors first built an access road for diggers in 2007, but the development stalled and the site lay unused.

Planning officials at Shropshire Council backed the scheme yesterday using delegated powers, despite fears from residents that the site will be too cramped to take all the homes.

The land was once put forward as a potential site for the town's planned £27 million hospital, which will now be built on land at Ludlow Eco-Business Park.

The houses will range from one to four-bedroom properties and will include 38 affordable homes in the area.

The application has provoked some negative outbursts by local residents who are concerned about overdeveloping the site.

In letters of objection sent in to the council, local people concede the need to develop the site which is described as unsightly.

But residents say the size of the site could lead to homes being cramped together and cause traffic chaos along Fishmore Road.

Bovale bosses hope to enter into talks with developers in the New Year and get the project moving.

Mayor of Ludlow, John Aitken, said the application had been applied for a number of years ago.

"The site lies to the north of the town where the old bus depot used to stand. Some initial infrastructure work was completed but the site is lying empty at the moment apart from some of the old structures associated with the depot."

In granting the application planning chiefs at Shropshire Council say further details about the building work would have to be submitted before construction work could begin.

Bovale are involved in a number of other developments around Shropshire including a 500-home development in Telford.

By Peter Finch