Objections fail to thwart Telford house plan

The plans for Benthall Lane, Benthall, have previously been opposed by Barrow Parish Council, which said the development is outside the development boundary for the village and in open countryside.

Fourteen comments expressing concern have also been posted on the plans.

There were also disputes at yesterday's meeting of Shropshire Council's south planning committee at Shirehall that the land had been described as brownfield, as locals said that the greenhouse was never used for business.

Councillor Milner Whiteman spoke on behalf of Barrow Parish Council against the plans. He said: "This is well outside the development boundary and has never been considered for development.

"This would seriously affect the neighbouring properties and there is huge amounts of neighbour objection. "

Mr Whiteman said that Barrow Parish Council was hoping to see more affordable housing developments in the town, not open market housing.

Councillor David Turner also spoke in objection to the plans, adding: "I hope councillors listen to local concerns."

According to the National Planning Policy Framework, Shropshire Council does not have enough development land for the next five years.

Vice-chairman of the committee Stuart West said: "We are in difficulty not granting planning applications without our five-year land bank.

"It would be nice to be built as an affordable home. It would be unwise to refuse this."

Councillor Cecilia Mottley said: "This is a ludicrous situation for us to be in.

"This is not actually going to contribute much to the land supply and it does seem to me in an area where affordable housing would be more appropriate but we can't insist this there."

Councillor Robert Tindall said: "I think this is too large a scale building on a smallish site." The plans were approved, subject to officer's recommendations.

Councillors also approved a plans to convert an existing pig farm into poultry sheds at Bradeley Farm in Bourton, Much Wenlock. The plan involves converting two existing pig rearing buildings as well as building two more.

The development would house around 85,000 broiler chickens on the site of the existing pig and arable farm.

Councillor David Turner, speaking on behalf of Much Wenlock Town Council said: "I am impressed with the care taken in the scheme that has been designed. I think it is a good proposal. I strongly support this."

Also approved at the meeting were plans to register The Green at Milson as a Village Green. Milson and Neen Sollars Parish Council put forward the plans, as the owners of the land, to change the registration and it was approved unanimously at the meeting yesterday.