Ex-Shrewsbury Town boss Jake King may appeal on motel bid
Developers working with former football manager Jake King are considering appealing against Shropshire Council's decision to block them building a 30-bedroom motel in a village.
Shropshire Council officers have thrown out the proposals by the ex-Shrewsbury Town and Telford United boss to construct the motel on land he owns opposite his Ye Olde Cross Gates pub in the village of Ford near Shrewsbury.
Under the plans, the motel was going to be built on land used by Ford Bowling Club, sparking protests from the local community and sports groups.
Dyanne Humphreys, principal planner at Shropshire Council, has ruled the scheme should be scrapped.
But Martin Parrish, of the Planning Group Ltd which worked with Mr King on his application, said the team is considering an appeal.
He said: "An appeal is available to us but we are considering our options."
The scheme attracted 30 letters of objection, including from Shropshire Playing Fields Association and the Campaign to Protect Rural England, with just three letters of support received.
Councillor Roger Evans, who represents the area for Shropshire Council, said: "It is good news for the bowling club and good news for the local community. The local community, the parish council and the bowling club were all against it.
"I'm pleased the officers were able to turn it down."
Andy Jones, ex-chairman of Ford Bowling Club, said he was hopeful the decision would improve the relationship between the pub and the bowling club.
He said at a meeting before Christmas, Mr King had indicated the club could use the green for at least the next three years.
