Developer accused of ignoring local views over Ellesmere homes plan
A developer is attempting to "ride roughshod" over the wishes of people in Ellesmere in order to get its estate of 68 homes approved, a public inquiry has heard.
Planning inspector David Cullingford heard that David Wilson Homes is applying for permission to build homes on land at Teal Drive.
The inquiry is the latest episode in a battle that has been discussed in a council chamber, a planning inquiry and a courtroom.
The plans were first turned down by Shropshire Council. A planning inspector then overruled that decision and the case went to the High Court, where Mrs Justice Lang confirmed that the planning inspector's ruling was unlawful.
A new inquiry by a Government planning inspector was ordered in order to make a final decision.
A hearing at the Council Chamber in Oswestry yesterday heard from those living close to the proposed development site.
They said it will harm the landscape and is unnecessary. Other concerns are that the development would add to traffic problems and that the town had more than adequate housing provision at other sites.
Brian Udan, who lives on Teal Drive said: "The developer is determined to ride roughshod over the local community, Ellesmere Town Council and Shropshire Council to wage a war of attrition until they achieve their end of generating a profit at our expense, leaving the council to sort out the mess they leave behind."
Councillor Ann Hartley, who represents Ellesmere Urban on Shropshire Council said: "In Ellesmere, we welcome new development, we are not being nimbys, but it has to be in the right place."
Concerns were raised that the proposed development would fall outside the accepted development blueprint for the area known as the SAMDev plan. And it was claimed that, as of March 31, 2016, 668 properties had been completed with a further 250 in the pipeline. This figure exceeds the 800 new dwellings needed for the lifetime of the SAMDev plan.
David Wilson Homes say the development would bring much-needed affordable housing to Ellesmere. Under the plans there would be two one-bedroom properties, two two-bedroom properties and three three-bedroom properties and these would be split between shared and rented housing.
Helen Howie, planning consultant for Berrys and representative of David Wilson Homes said the development would fulfil a need in Ellesmere and that market research had shown there was a demand for the properties proposed.
The inquiry was expected to continue today and a decision will be made at a later date.
