Builder tries again after Shrewsbury homes plans criticised

Developers who want to build more than 200 homes in Shrewsbury have lodged amended plans after the original proposals were criticised by residents and wildlife officials.

Persimmon Homes wants to build 250 homes on land off Shillingston Drive in Battlefield. But the plans, which include 50 affordable homes, have come in for criticism from residents who claim the site is unsuitable for development.

The Berwick Grange and Battlefield Road residents group was set up to fight the plans, which have attracted more than 100 objections on Shropshire Council's planning website.

During the consultation process a number of concerns were raised by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and local residents about the effect the new development could have on rare Ghost moths which have been spotted in the Lion Coppice woodland, adjacent to the proposed site of the new homes.

A spokesman for the wildlife trust said: "Ecological survey and public interest have identified a number of ecological issues relating to the proposed development site.

"While we welcome the efforts to mitigate and compensate for the impacts associated with the development, the Shropshire Wildlife Trust do not feel these are currently adequate and so objects to the application."

Persimmon has now amended plans for the housing scheme, including agreeing to maintain a 10-metre buffer between the Lion Coppice and the rear gardens of the nearest proposed homes. The nearest homes would also have a minimum rear garden of 10 metres to further distance the homes from the coppice.

Developers have also agreed to retain two northern ponds to improve additional grassland habitats.

A letter in support of the amended design and access statement said: "Overall the revised masterplan demonstrates that a deliverable residential development can be achieved on the site."

Neil Follows, Managing Director of Persimmon Homes North West, said: "An amended site layout for the proposed development at Shillingston Drive, Battlefield, Shrewsbury, was submitted to Shropshire Council in December.

"The amended layout takes account of residents' concerns relating to Ghost moths and the potential wider ecological impact of the proposed development. We await the Council's decision on the application."