Protesters hit out at Newport housing plans 'farce'
Telford & Wrekin Council's planning process has been branded a "farce" and "undemocratic" after plans for 85 houses on the outskirts of Newport were approved, despite more than 100 objections.
About 40 residents from Newport and Edgmond packed into the Whitehouse Hotel in Wellington on Wednesday night to hear council planning bosses approve the development off Edgmond Road.
They left complaining about the decision, claiming their views had not been heard.
Councillor Rodney Pitt, who spoke on behalf of Newport Town Council, said: "All the valid objections were just pooh-poohed and labelled irrelevant. It was a complete waste of time. It was not democratic and just a foregone conclusion."
There were 95 recorded letters of objection from residents, but some campaigners claimed others had been lost by the council.
There were also claims that party politics had come into the decision, which is against the rules.
Edgmond resident Peter Barlow has complained to the council's democratic department.
Objectors claimed that the new estate would increase the risk of accidents and put a strain on the town's infrastructure.
The latest approval means that more than 700 houses have been given the go-ahead across six sites in Newport, with plans for another 350 houses off Station Road still to come forward.
The Edgmond Road scheme is put forward by Cheshire-based Gladman Developments.
Committee chairman Councillor John Minor said: "The authority is legally charged with determining the application, whoever it comes from and wherever it is. There were no grounds for refusal. If you refuse applications of that sort all that happens is that the applicant goes to appeal. There is no pre-briefing about applications and no member is whipped."
