Plan for nearly 100 affordable new homes in Shropshire village recommended for approval despite objections

A large housing development earmarked for a Shropshire village is being recommended for approval - despite nearly 100 people objecting.

Shropshire Council's southern planning committee will have the final say when members discuss the application for Ford, west of Shrewsbury, next Wednesday (May 26).

Shropshire Homes's proposal is for 93 affordable properties, together with associated access, internal roads, public open space, drainage infrastructure, and other ancillary works.

The scheme includes a mix of dwelling sizes and tenures, including social rented and rent-to-buy homes, as well as a number of one-bedroom bungalows. Access is proposed via a new priority junction onto But Lane, supported by off-site highway works including a new pedestrian crossing and improved footway connections.

The development also includes a dedicated onsite school drop-off and short-stay parking facility, intended to serve the adjacent Trinity C of E Primary School and to alleviate existing on-street parking pressures.

None of Shropshire Council's technical consultees had objections.

However, Ford Parish Council has raised a series of objections, including a 17-page letter. Its concerns include the development’s “disproportionate scale”, a lack of play areas and “severe highway and pedestrian safety concerns”.

The parish council has requested a deferral and a revision of access arrangements. It also alleged that the applicant has not addressed community concerns or revised proposals “despite recent correspondence”.

Only two members of the public submitted statements in support, with 93 lodging objections. Other organisations against the scheme include Ford Community 311 (which represents a large number of residents), Plantlife (a national conservation charity), and UK Habitat Classification.

However, principal planning officer Ollie Thomas has recommended that the application be granted subject to conditions being adhered to.

"In light of the council’s current housing land supply position, and having regard to the NPPF’s [National Planning Policy Framework] presumption in favour of sustainable development, the proposal represents a sustainable form of development," said Mr Thomas.

He added that substantial weight should be given to the fact that all of the dwellings are affordable to meet identified needs, with associated social/community and highway safety benefits also being provided.

"These benefits are weighed against the identified harms, namely the countryside location outside the settlement boundary, the loss of existing habitat and the permanent landscape/visual change (each attracting moderate weight), with additional traffic impacts assessed as neutral," said Mr Thomas.

"On balance, and having applied the tilted balance, the adverse impacts do not significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits."