400 homes plan on Telford field approved
Plans to build nearly 400 homes on the edge of Telford have been approved despite protests from dozens of residents over the loss of part of a playing field.
About 50 residents of Lawley Village turned out at Telford & Wrekin Council's plans board meeting last night to plead with members of the authority not to allow properties to be built on their playing field.
But despite their protests, phase six of the Ironstone project – which developers claim will see £62.5 million of investment come into the town – was approved.
This latest phase will see 388 one, two, three and four bedroom homes built by Persimmon Homes, Barratt Homes and Taylor Wimpey on a 28-acre section of the Ironstone development.
Lawley & Overdale Parish Council chairman Alan Hussey said: "People are extremely concerned, both people who have lived in this area for a number of years and people who have recently moved into the area. We've asked the developer to review it and we're trying to save as much green open area as possible.
"But I believe Telford & Wrekin Council could have put this right at the start.
"They knew this field had been used by generations of Lawley youngsters and is still used by youngsters for football, and Telford & Wrekin Council, which was the owner of the land, could have moved the development of that area away and allowed the field to stay."
Outline plans for the development were approved in 2010, meaning the developers were seeking more detailed permission for an already agreed scheme of work at the plans meeting.
Plans board member Councillor Rob Sloan said: "We can't turn the clock back. The extent of the land for consideration has been set and this is about detail."
The first homes are now expected to be completed by June 2013, and the whole of phase six by 2016. After the meeting, resident Emma Gorse, who has led the protest, said: "We thought the meeting was going somewhere and then it seemed to turn on its head.
"When the case officer came to visit us she did say village green status is our best bet of saving the land. We didn't have time to submit an application before the meeting."
By Pam Griffin
