Market Drayton cold-shoulders plan for 32 homes

Plans by a recession-hit Market Drayton business to transform one of its sites into a 32-home development have been opposed by town councillors.

At a meeting last night, planning committee members voted unanimously against the redevelopment of Lazy Days' caravan and motorhome site in Towers Lawn. Owner Lester Stacey wants to build 32 two-bedroom apartments.

The building would be up to four storeys high and have new car and cycle parking spaces.

But councillors believed the development would be out of keeping with the area and would overlook neighbouring properties.

A small number of residents living nearby on The Burgage have objected to the plans, fearing they would have a detrimental effect on their privacy and property prices.

In a letter to Shropshire Council planning officers, resident Ian Bourne said: "I have lived on The Burgage for 14 years. It is a quiet, peaceful road with friendly people.

"The property prices have been good and not many houses have been bought and sold in the time I have lived here.

"If this proposed development is given permission to be built, the effect on The Burgage will be catastrophic.

"The thought of a four-storey blocks of flats directly behind my house, invading my privacy and reducing the value and saleability of my own property, is reprehensible."

A report on behalf of the applicant said the current recession had caused the market for caravan sales to fall by 25 per cent since 2008.

If approved, all business and employment at the Towers Lawn would be redeployed at Lazy Days main sales centre, which is based on the A41 at Hinstock.

The report said: "The market for the sale of caravans however has fallen by 25 per cent since the current economic recession began to bite and, along with it, the repair side of the business.

"The site offers a suitable location for development now and would contribute to the creation of sustainable, mixed communities and therefore is suitable.

"It is the applicant's intention to release the site for development, once planning permission has been granted, straight away so that housing will be delivered on the site well within five years."

Shropshire Council's north planning committee is expected to consider the proposed housing development in the next few months.