Relief as large Ludlow greenfield development blocked

The 137-home estate, planned for 43 acres of land at Foldgate Farm, next to the A49 trunk road on the outskirts of Ludlow, has been refused by Shropshire Council planning officers even before it went before the authority's south planning committee.

The plans by developer Richborough Estates' plans came under fire from nearby residents and Ludlow South councillor Vivienne Parry, who were worried that a turning on to the busy A49 trunk road would become a "death trap", and that the site could worsen existing flooding and sewerage problems on streets nearby.

However, county planners have refused the application simply because it is not in Shropshire Council's five-year plan for housing and on greenfield land.

A report by Shropshire Council planning officers said: "The proposed site lies in open countryside outside the development boundary for Ludlow.

"The development would have an adverse impact on the visual amenity of open countryside on the edge of the town and the need for housing land in Ludlow will be met elsewhere."

Councillor Parry said previously that she expected the application to be turned down. She said 60 people had turned out to a meeting against the plans after they were submitted in October last year, and she said the decision was a "victory for people power".

Fellow councillor Andy Boddington, for Ludlow North, who was unable to speak out about the development due to his position on Shropshire Council's south planning committee, said he agreed.

He said: "I have never liked this scheme. It is sprawl across green fields that we do not need as we have allocated housing sites elsewhere. The access to the site would have been from a T junction onto the A49. This would be a death trap.

"It joins the road at the point where motorists are often travelling at 70 mph or more. I was amazed when Highways England gave its support for the junction.

"The scheme would also have destroyed the character of Foldgate Lane and, despite the developers' denials, I think it would have led to an unacceptable level of traffic on the lane."

He said the officers' reasons for refusal were clear-cut so the developers would be unlikely to win on appeal. However, he praised their approach.

"I take my hat off to the dignified and considerate way that (agents) Turley and Richborough conducted local consultations," he said.

"They were honest enough to say they would press ahead regardless of public opinion, and public opinion was wholeheartedly against this scheme – there were 105 objections and just one expression of support."

Richborough Estates said the estate would help meet housing needs in Ludlow and would create new public open spaces.

Agent John Acres, at Turley, said he was not aware yet if the developer will appeal.