Charity seeks homes to meet demand in Bridgnorth

The unique scheme could see 29 homes, an estate office and a communal meeting room being built in town.

The site on land off St Stephen's Place is owned by the Bridgnorth General Municipal Charity, which works under the name Bridgnorth Housing Trust.

The charity was set up by a wealthy benefactor during the 1600s as an Almshouse charity for the poorest people living in the Bridgnorth area.

Trustees of the charity, which already has 35 names on its current waiting list, claim the plans will meet vital housing needs for the town.

Louise Davis, clerk to the trustees, said: "The people who come to us have to be from the Bridgnorth area. They have normally found themselves in a difficulty for a variety of reasons. People come to us following marriage and relationship breakdowns, money problems – it's a variety of reasons."

The housing will include two one-bedroom apartments, 14 two-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom bungalows, three two-bedroom houses, two four-bedroomed houses and six three-bedroom houses.

The charity also hopes to move its office to the new development.

Bridgnorth Town Council backed the plans saying it was a good development for the area. Shropshire Council's Historic Environment Group has asked for further information before backing the idea. The group has raised concerns about the design and height of the houses, which could be built in a conservation area.

The plans, which have also attracted three letters of objection, could be approved by January 1.