Planning appeal for 78 homes near Telford dismissed
A planning inspector has dismissed an appeal by a housing developer to build 78 properties in the countryside.
Delighted campaigners have welcomed the decision to refuse the scheme for fields off Muxton Lane, in Muxton, that date to medieval times.
Gladman Developments lodged an appeal after Telford & Wrekin Council rejected its application and a public inquiry was held last month.
Phil Loughlin, chairman of Opposition to the Building of More Houses in Muxton, said: "From the community's point of view we have been fighting these proposals for three years culminating in this decision. The community has been working together and now we have been rewarded with the refusal that we wanted. The inquiry was well attended by the community which took the opportunity to voice its concerns and we are very delighted with the outcome.
"This is the second appeal that has been dismissed. We have a 100 per cent record of refusals against Gladmans. It is interesting to note that the inspector found the main issue to be the adverse effect of the plans on the countryside.
"We have been successful again in in protecting this valuable green space for generations to come. We have succeeded in repelling this developer and having been cross-examined at the hearing by Gladman's I was very happy to have had the chance to put our standpoint across."
Gladman's claim for costs was also refused by planning inspector Martin Whitehead.
His inquiry report stated: "The main issues are the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside, taking account of the physical separation between Telford and Lilleshall and the value of the landscape; its effect on the delivery of Strategic Urban Extensions and associated infrastructure; the sustainability of the location of the site, in terms of the need to travel to facilities and services; and the planning balance."
It report further stated: "I have found that the proposal would result in a serious adverse effect on the character and appearance of the surrounding countryside - as it would represent built development within the open countryside where new development is strictly controlled other than in the exceptional circumstances."
A petition attracted about 500 signatures after residents launched a campaign against the development and scores attended a series of public meetings at St John's Church.
Telford & Wrekin Council threw out the original scheme for 110 homes in December 2014. And the revised scheme for 78 homes in October 2015 on the grounds that the proposals would cause significant and irreversible harm to the area.
Plans by Seabridge Developments Ltd for 150 homes on land off Wellington Road in Muxton is due to be heard at a public inquiry on June 6 after the company also lodged an appeal after the council's planning committee rejected it.
