137 homes plan for Ludlow moves forward
Plans for a controversial 137-home estate in Ludlow have moved a step closer with the sale of the land to the company which will undertake the development.
Crest Nicholson Midlands division has today announced the purchase of the site, off Foldgate Lane, from national strategic land company, Richborough Estates.
The proposed development will provide a mix of house types, ranging in size from two-bedroom homes, to three, four, and five-bedroom houses, which the developers say will respond to the housing requirements of the local area.
Permission for the scheme was granted following an appeal hearing in August 2016, after it was rejected by Shropshire Council in September 2015 on the grounds it was outside the town's development boundary.
More than 100 residents attended the hearing to support those giving evidence against the development, with concerns raised over drainage, road safety and privacy of nearby residents, but the appeal was granted by planning inspector Callum Parker.
Following the appeal, Richborough Estates announced it would seek a housebuilder to acquire the site but stressed the plans, which include a 25 per cent affordable housing provision, were set.
James Bradshaw, Divisional Director at Richborough Estates, said: "As a strategic land company, our role is to promote prospective development sites securing planning consent eventually selecting a development partner to construct and deliver the new homes.
"As with all of the development sites on which we work, the objective is to ensure that the new homes are aligned with the character of the existing settlement and we are confident that Crest Nicholson is the perfect partner to deliver these much-needed new homes."
Crest Nicholson has now pledged to work closely with the Council with the aim of making sure the development meets local needs. A children’s play area will be incorporated into the plans, as well as a community orchard at the south of the site.
The development next to the A49 runs to the east of the site, linking residents to the surrounding towns. Ludlow train station is also just over a kilometre away, which provides links to the likes of Hereford, Manchester Piccadilly and Cardiff Central.
Ben Miller, Managing Director Crest Nicholson Midlands, said: "We’re pleased to announce the purchase of this site at Ludlow, which will provide much-needed high quality housing for the local area.
"We will work hard to ensure we deliver the creation of a sustainable housing development that possesses a strong sense of identity whilst also blending seamlessly with the local vernacular."
