Plans for 25 new affordable homes gets green light in south Shropshire village

Plans for 25 new affordable homes in a south Shropshire village have been given the green light.

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Bowsall Developments and the Housing Plus Group’s proposal is on land north of Linden Fields, off Station Road in Minsterley.

Shropshire Council’s Southern Planning Committee granted the application on Tuesday (October 27).

The affordable housing team at Shropshire Council supported the proposal for 18 three-bed and seven two-bed properties, allowing households to rent them while saving for a deposit for purchase after five years.

However the council’s green infrastructure team said that, while outstanding concerns regarding the landscape and visual assessments have been addressed, several landscape and public open space matters remain unresolved.

These mainly relate to ensuring that all public open space is genuinely accessible, that adequate maintenance access is provided for landscaped areas, and planting proposals can be effectively managed in the long term.

A total of eight public representations were received by Shropshire Council, all of them objections.

They related to highway safety, flooding, safety water and drainage, the foul pumping station, potential noise and odour from an adjacent poultry unit, the impact on local services, and environmental and watercourse issues.

Objections were also submitted by the Shropshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Minsterley Flood Action Group and Minsterley Parish Council.

But planning officers at Shropshire Council said the amount of affordable housing “attracts significant weight” in favour of the proposal.

Caroline Bagnall (Lab, Broseley) said: “This strikes me as an opportunity to keep young people in the community of Minsterley.

“I’m slightly concerned about the distance to the school, we’ve had varying distances mentioned to us. But I would think it’s important that people are encouraged to walk to the school and the shops.

“I agree that the idea of a crossing is a good one, but ultimately this is a proposal for a development where people can get on to the housing ladder.

“The houses look reasonably well designed and the spatial layout appears to be good. I am minded to agree with the officer recommendation.”

Councillor Nigel Lumby (Con, Albrighton) added: “This is a small extension of the village which has got quite a lot of facilities, including jobs, and it’s got an hourly bus [service].

“This ticks so many boxes.”

You can find out more about planning applications and planned roadworks where you live by visiting publicnoticeportal.uk/shropshire-star