1,000 sign petition over bid for 75 new Shrewsbury homes
About 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for more public consultation on controversial plans for 750 homes in Shrewsbury.
Concerned residents have signed the paper and online petition regarding plans for the major new development at Welshpool Road, Bicton Heath.
They launched the petition to extend the consultation by 16 weeks after claiming they were not "adequately notified" about plans.
But Shropshire Council today said it was not planning to extend the consultation period any further.
Earlier this summer the council unveiled plans for 750 homes in west Shrewsbury and the building of a major link road from the A5 bypass to the Holyhead Road.
The draft masterplan includes plans for a new "business campus" off Clayton Way and the expansion of Oxon Business Park.
Residents say it became apparent very few people either knew or understood what the proposed development would involve.
Although Shropshire Council agreed to extend consultation by five weeks, campaigners are concerned this is still not long enough to get sufficient feedback on how the new development should look.
During the past five weeks residents have been holding public meetings, leaflet drops, door-knocking, and talking to shoppers visiting the display boards at the local Co-op store.
David Kilby, spokesman for the group, said: "Local people feel let down that a neighbourhood plan has not been done by either Shrewsbury Town Council or Bicton Parish Council, which would have empowered the whole community, including hard- to-reach groups like elderly and young people, in decision-making as to what should be included in the new development plan.
"Many people spoken to have pointed to the lack of available evidence regards the proposed social infrastructure.
Jan Bevan, a spokeswoman for the group, added: "There seems to be a complete lack of evidence that the west Shrewsbury site is either viable, deliverable or sustainable as a project."
Councillor Mal Price, Shropshire Council cabinet member for planning, said: "We welcome the high level of interest in the consultation and encourage any residents, businesses or other interested parties to consider the proposals and have their say before the deadline of September 6."
Details at www. shrewsburywest.org
