Shrewsbury homes ruling hope after plans changed
A group of residents is looking forward to a final decision on plans to build more than 200 homes on a former hospital site after months of campaigning.
The Racecourse Lane Residents Association initially objected to a proposal to build 158 apartments and 78 houses on the former Shelton Hospital site in Shrewsbury.
The group feared such a scheme would have a huge impact on the community by taking part of the nearby football pitch, concerns Sport England also raised.
But after months of campaigning and a petition signed by more than 1,000 people, councillors deferred a decision on the plans at a meeting of the central planning committee in December, requesting developers amend the scheme.
Developers redesigned their plans with sporting provision significantly improved. The bowling club will also be provided with a larger and more robust clubhouse.
Karen Pearce, secretary of the group, said: "Plans have been amended and the football pitch we worked hard to protect, with 1,060 signing a petition, has now been saved and also the future of the cricket club is safer.
"In addition sports provision is actually improved by the creation of a new sports building. So as you can see we have no reason to be seen to be objecting anymore."
She added: "We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported us."
Sport England has also withdrawn its previous objection.
The former psychiatric hospital closed in 2013 being replaced by the £46 million Redwoods mental health centre nearby.
The plans will be discussed by the central planning committee at Shirehall, in Shrewsbury, tomorrow at 2pm.
