Fight to save Telford 'oasis' from becoming housing
Telford residents are fighting to save their "only oasis of countryside" from becoming a housing estate.
Friends of Ketley Paddock Mound are fiercely opposing a plan by Telford & Wrekin Council to build 12 houses on land off Shepherds Lane, in Red Lake.
The group says the new build would be a "disastrous intrusion into open space". More than 100 letters of objection have been submitted by local residents.
An outline application will be discussed by members of the planning committee tonight. If the site was sold, £38,500 towards the upkeep of Paddock Mound would be secured with £18,500 going towards immediate improvements and £20,000 towards future maintenance of the area in partnership with the community.
Christine Beckett has lived in Ketley since the early 1970s and has seen two generations of her family grow up enjoying Paddock Mound. "We sledged in the snow, fished and picked wildflowers on the mound. It would be a detriment to my lifestyle and everyone in Ketley if the land was to be redeveloped."
The proposal includes access for cars at the northeastern part of the site.
The road would need widening by a minimum of 4.8 metres and a new footpath would run along Shepherds Lane to replace an existing right of way.
Planning officer Anna Adams advised members to grant outline planning permission subject to the financial contributions and other conditions.
Hilda Rhodes and Gilly Reynolds, who represent Ketley on Telford & Wrekin Council, and a representative of Friends of Ketley Paddock Mound will speak against the proposal at tonight's meeting.
The meeting at the auditorium at Abraham Darby Academy will start at 6pm.
