Planners drop appeal over Shropshire village 50-home site bid

Applicants behind the plans for land off Abbots Way in Hodnet, near Market Drayton, say they now want to concentrate on their revised proposal for 44 homes on the same site.

They were due to ask a Government planning inspector to overturn Shropshire Council's decision to oppose the 50-home scheme.

An appeal hearing was scheduled to take place today and in November, but both have been cancelled.

The news was welcomed by parish councillors who are in support of the revised plans for 44 homes.

Councillor Derek Hodge, from Hodnet Parish Council, said: "We are aware the appeal has been withdrawn and we certainly welcome that.

"The revised planning application was supported by the parish council and we are looking forward to a final agreement on that.

"The elements which we were unhappy with in the original application have now been addressed."

The proposals for 50 homes were thrown out by Shropshire Council's north planning committee in 2012 after they were met with a storm of opposition.

The council, which received 76-name petition against the plans, objected to the development after describing it as "cramped".

But following the opposition to the original scheme, the agent working on behalf of the applicants has been consulting with local residents about the revised plans.

Jo Lovelady, spokeswoman for the agent Strutt and Parker, confirmed today the appeal has been withdrawn so applicants can concentrate on their plan for 44 homes.

She added: "In principle, the local authority is supportive of the proposal for 44 dwellings and the parties are in dialogue to come to an agreement."

The scheme has been put forward by a host of applicants, including The Leverhulme Hesketh Trust.