Huge Shrewsbury housing development can go ahead - even without North West Relief Road, say highways officials
A major Shrewsbury housing development can go ahead without the North West Relief Road, highways officials have confirmed.
Shropshire Council is currently considering a proposal for 450 homes on a site off Ellesmere Road in the town.
The application was submitted in 2022.
The piece of land was originally included in Shropshire's draft local plan for 2016 to 2038 - but with the expectation that it would be built alongside Shrewsbury's planned North West Relief Road (NWRR).
Development guidelines for the site said: "The delivery of this development is directly dependent on the approval and construction of the North West Relief Road. Development on the site will not commence until such time as the North West Relief Road is operational.”
But Shropshire Council's highways department has now issued fresh guidance on the plans.
It comes as the draft local plan was abandoned by the council, and the North West Relief Road project currently sits in stasis, effectively cancelled.
In a letter, responding to the application, the council's highways department said the development can now go ahead - even without the North West Relied Road.
It said: "Due to uncertainty in relation to the NWRR, it was agreed that a hybrid assessment of highway impact would be undertaken using outputs from the Shrewsbury Traffic Model for a range of future year scenarios that sought to demonstrate that the 450 dwelling could be constructed and occupied prior to the opening of the NWRR.
It added: "Following further clarification Shropshire Council as Local Highway Authority are satisfied that the development of 450 dwellings can be approved prior to the construction and opening of the NWRR without having a significant impact on the transport network."
The application was submitted by Barwood Developments for a large piece of land between the railway line and the west of Ellesmere Road.
Access to the site would be off Ellesmere Road.
A revised design and access statement submitted with the proposal states: "The development provides a total of 12.78 hectares for residential development, providing up to 450 dwellings based on an average density of 35 dwellings per hectare.
"This is split into two phases: phase one of the development is located in the southeastern-most portion of the site with phase two adjoining to the north. The development will provide for a mix of dwellings and house types, ranging from 2-5 bedroom units, offering a mix of market and affordable housing from first time homes to larger family homes."
A decision on the plan will be taken at a later date.
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