Homes plan rejected near Shropshire village pub
Plans to build four homes near a Shropshire village pub have been rejected after concerns from residents and parish councillors.
Kinnerley Parish Council has objected to the scheme which would have seen houses built at the Cross Keys Inn in the village.
Twenty-five residents had also objected to the plans, councillors at a meeting of Shropshire Council's north planning committee were told yesterday.
Resident representative Peter Clarke told the committee: "The Cross Keys inn occupies an important place visually and culturally in the village.
"We don't need any more houses, and even if we did we wouldn't have them near the pub.
"Most people in the village feel these houses are inappropriate."
Councillor Mick Bright from Kinnerley Parish Council said if built the houses would be an "eyesore" in the village centre.
A report from planners said the plans will retain the pub and will also bring about a new access for vehicles and alterations to the existing pub car park arrangements.
The planners' report says although the parish council "strongly supports" the retention of the pub as an important community facility in the centre of the village it had various reservations about the homes proposal.
The parish council says the pub site was not identified as a suitable area for development under the Kinnerley Parish Neighbourhood Plan.
Among other objections are worries about the impact the homes will have on a nearby Grade II listed historic church, concerns about traffic and safety and he impact the plans will have on the pub car park.
The applicant Micheal Guest, who owns the Cross Keys Inn, said the pub was "sinking "and needed significant investment, which he argued the houses would bring.
He said if rejected then he may be forced to abandon the pub, which will not help maintain it.
Councillor Vince Hunt said: "I think it is over-development and I don't like it."
He said there was no evidence any of the money from the development would be spent on the pub.
Councillor Steve Davenport said: "This would completely change the visual character of the village."
The committee voted unanimously against the application.
Mr Guest said he planned to appeal the decision and would take it to the planning inspectorate.
