West Felton homes move approved by council experts

Members of Shropshire Council's north planning committee said at a meeting in December they were minded to refuse the plans for 35 homes and four commercial units north of Tedsmore Road in West Felton. The decision went against their officers' recommendation.

The councillors said they were worried the local infrastructure was inadequate and unable to serve any new development.

They also said the site was outside the existing development boundary.

Officers said at the time a further report would be considered at a future meeting of the committee.

That report will go before the committee on Tuesday and the officers have again said the application should be given the go-ahead, as long as certain conditions are met.

West Felton Parish Council has said it strongly objects to the plans while dozens of residents and the Campaign to Protect Rural England have also objected.

Concerns included the homes being outside the village boundary, and worries over available places at the local school, highways issues and the loss of wildlife habitat.

A number of people have written in support of the bid.

A report from council officers says: "Officers continue to be of the opinion, given in the December report, that the application site sits between existing housing developments and can quite logically be considered to constitute a natural extension of the village and a large infill site between existing housing.

"The development of this site would not extend the village beyond its existing boundaries and as such is considered by officers to be an appropriate site."

It adds: "No evidence has been found which would substantiate a defendable reason for refusal of the application."

Councillors on Shropshire Council's north planning committee will discuss the application at their meeting at Shirehall, Shrewsbury on Tuesday at 2pm.