76 home plan for former Telford farm

Nuplace Ltd have applied to build the two, three and four bedroom homes on an eight-acre site in Snedshill.

Telford and Wrekin Council officers recommend the planning committee votes in favour, but admits some members of the public feel the proposed homes are “cramped” and the site would be overdeveloped.

A report before the borough’s planning committee says: “The application site comprises a former agricultural field measuring approximately 3.2 hectares located to the southeast of Snedshill Way and northeast of Holyhead Road.

“Vehicular access to the site will be provided from Holyhead Road to the southwest and two footpath links will be provided in the northwest and southeast boundaries.

“The application site includes a SUDs (sustainable urban drainage system) pond in the southeast corner which will collect storm water.

“The layout has largely been dictated by the position of those access points and the pond which will be landscaped as a key feature with properties positioned to face onto it.”

The report admits that some public comments said the proposal is “cramped and overdeveloped”, but point out that its density of 24 homes per hectare “compares favourably” with a 39-home site to the northwest that was approved last March and “would not be out of keeping with the wider surrounding area”.

A further objection has been received from Kiyokuni Europe Ltd, an engineering company with a 7,000-square-metre factory in Priorslee, “raising concerns that the proposal may restrict future plans to expand to a 24-hour operation”, the report adds.

Nuplace, which is owned by Telford and Wrekin Council, has promised a contribution of more than £210,000 towards primary education in the area, and an additional £100,000 for roads and children’s playing facilities. A quarter of the homes will be designated affordable housing.

The committee will discuss the application when it meets on Wednesday.

Story by Local Democracy Reporter Alex Moore