Wem care home bid backed despite flood fears

The Environment Agency has revealed it has no objections to the scheme to build the home on land off Mill Street.

It comes despite Wem Town Council formally objecting to the proposal because of the potential impacts on traffic and flooding.

Graeme Irwin, senior planning advisor for the Environment Agency, said: "The site is partially located in flood zone three, which is the high risk zone.

"The site is located close to the confluence of the River Roden and Back Brook in Wem. Being a confluence of two watercourses indicated that this would be an area susceptible to flooding.

"However, the submitted flood risk assessment, including flood modelling, has demonstrated that the built development, and access, lies predominantly within flood zone one, the low flood zone."

Meanwhile, Historic England has raised some concerns about the impacts the new care home could have on the nearby mill.

Julie Taylor, inspector of historic buildings and areas, said: "Historic England is concerned that the current scheme would adversely affect the historic setting of the Grade II listed mill, and would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Wem Conservation Area.

"We are therefore unable to support the current proposals."

The proposal has been put forward by the Millhouse Group and is expected to create 17 jobs.

But Penny O’Hagan, clerk to Wem Town Council, said: “The proposals will have an adverse impact on the town as the additional traffic the development will create flows onto an already busy and congested narrow road, opposite a large development, will add to the existing air pollution and increase the standing traffic.

"The proposed design and appearance of the development is completely out of keeping with its location in a small market town and will have an adverse impact upon the conservation area.

“The proposals will have an adverse impact upon the sympathetic redevelopment of an historic building, Wem Mill, which is immediately opposite the proposed development.

"The town council has serious local concerns about the potential flooding of this development and its impact upon existing nearby properties which could be adversely affected by such a large building.”

“These proposals could particularly impact on residents of Roden Grove as the north side of the Roden is a flood zone two and the area fails the sequential test for flooding."

The new care home would feature two blocks comprising 50 en suite bedrooms – 32 in block one and 18 in block two.”

Shropshire Council hopes to make a final decision on the scheme by September 19. People can comment on the proposal as part of consultation into the scheme by visiting the council website.