200 homes on former Charlton School land get the go-ahead

Telford and Wrekin planning committee last night granted outline planning permission for the development, north of Harley Close, Dothill.

The council is both the landowner and the applicant, councillors were told.

The 17 acres of land housed Charlton School until late 2016, when it closed and a replacement was built on Apley Avenue.

Councillors were assured that the sports pitches and the sports hall, belonging to Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club, would be retained and that the area would also include an area of local amenity play space.

Both Dothill councillor Karen Tomlinson and Wellington Town Council were concerned the new homes would exacerbate traffic problems.

Councillor Tomlinson said that she was worried not only about the Whitchurch Road/Apley Avenue junction but also the Whitchurch Road/North Road junction.

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Mr Thomas Ayres, speaking for the developer, said that the land was available thanks to the council's Schools for the Future Programme.

This had given the area an outstanding new secondary school building at the new Charlton School and also new sports facilities that the council should be proud of, said Mr Ayres.

He said the scheme would bring a much needed upgrade for the Whitchurch Road/Apley Avenue junction.

Councillor Peter Scott said that the application was only for outline permission and that he would await the more detailed planning application.

"At the moment the application is not bad at all," he said.

The new homes will be accessed from Harley Close to the south and Severn Drive to the east.

Wellington Town Council did not object to the application but commented that the entrances to the new estate were inadequate as currently planned.

It said it was concerned that Harley Close would prove to be a bottleneck and that extra traffic movements would increase the present difficulties.