Giant Telford factory plan 'a monstrosity'

A councillor joined calls for Telford & Wrekin Council to rethink plans for a new industrial park.

Councillor Bill Tomlinson he understood a toilet roll factory could be created on the site.

He claimed it could bring potential health problems for people living nearby and said the controversial proposals for the land north and east of Shawbirch roundabout would destroy the character of the village.

His is the latest voice against the plans, which have already received hundreds of objections online.

The outline planning application was put in by Telford & Wrekin Council and Homes England, and would see up to 80,000 square metres built on the land. It would also see a 40 metre building constructed – matching Manor Heights in Hadley or Telford Plaza.

Councillor Tomlinson, who represents Shawbirch on the council, said: “This area has been ready for development for 30 years, but the sheer scale of the building will tower over Shawbirch. It’s going to be a monstrosity.

“They can’t screen it, even with trees you’ll never be able to screen it. It could bring hundreds of jobs, and it’s definitely going to bring money into the borough, which is great – but it is in the wrong place.”

Claims of a toilet roll factory being built at the site have not been confirmed but Mr Tomlinson added: “A toilet roll factory will create dust particles, there will be ammonia. There are people with respiratory problems saying they are really worried about this.

“And half a mile down the road there’s the Severn Hospice and Princess Royal Hospital as well. People in Shawbirch understand there’s going to be development on this land and we’ve got no qualms with it coming to Telford. But you’ve got to keep something like this away from sensitive areas.”

Objections

Councillor Tomlinson said money had been spent improving Shawbirch roundabout. It was designed around the area’s combination of industrial heritage and beautiful nature.

“The idea was to celebrate that, as well as being industrial, Telford was a place to come for trees and flowers.

“Then, bang, this humongous great big factory is in your face.”

Objections to the planning application have continued to flood in online.

Linda Carter, a resident of Shawbirch, said: “This development is totally unsuitable surrounded as it is by houses and a new proposed housing estate which in itself will impact the area adversely.

“The added traffic, noise, pollution from this industrial development is unacceptable.”

Julia Harris said: “I am highly concerned about the increased levels of pollution this proposed development would bring, especially as it is planned to be sited in the middle of residential developments.

“What safeguards will be put in place to ensure pollution from the additional traffic as well as from the factory itself will be managed and kept within acceptable levels? How will the increase in traffic be managed?

“There is a perfectly good industrial estate a couple of miles down the road in Hortonwood that would more than suitable for a development of this nature. Putting it in the middle of a housing estate is not.”

Russell Griffin, of Telford & Wrekin Council, said a joint outline application had been submitted between it and land owner Homes England.