£2.5m Market Drayton ring road plan backed

A 30-year plan for a £2.5 million town centre ring road and 50 new homes in Market Drayton today won official backing.

Three decades after the project was first mooted, council bosses have applied for permission to create the road and build 47 houses in a bid to breathe new life into the centre of the town.

The plans have divided public opinion. Supporters say it will help regenerate the town, while critics claim it is a waste.

The council has applied for outline planning permission and says it will work with social landlords to build the homes – half of which will be affordable.

The link road would be between Stafford Street and Phoenix Bank to form a new junction with High Street and Great Hales Street.

Plans, recommended for approval, will be discussed by Shropshire Council's north planning committee in Wem on Tuesday.

The council has had two letters of objection raising concerns the link road will create a 'rat run' for lorries.

Cash for the project is from a £7 million pot raised by the sale of the former North Shropshire District Council's housing stock.

The scheme includes 18 three-bedroom houses, 11 two-bedroom houses, six one-bedroom flats, and 12 two-bedroom flats.

David Minnery, Shropshire Council member for Market Drayton West, said: "I would say there is a 50/50 divide. Some people have been calling for this for about 30 years and say why don't we just get on with it.

"Others say times are hard and the money should be spent on something else.

"We should do what the majority of people want."

A report by Shropshire Council case officer Richard Denison said: "The proposed scheme will provide a significant proportion of affordable dwellings and will provide improved town centre housing.

"The proposed link road will also improve the attractiveness of the town centre."

By James Pugh