Inspector throws out plan for Shrewsbury houses
Plans to build three houses in Shrewsbury have been thrown out by the planning inspectorate.
Shropshire Council's central planning committee had denied permission for the development in Longmeadow Drive, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, in April.
A planning inspector upheld the decision yesterday, saying the development would not fit in with the current established character of the area.
The application would have seen the four-bedroom properties and car parking built on land to the south Of Millrace Cottage on Longmeadow Drive, within the Shrewsbury Conservation Area.
They were thrown out by the planning committee over concerns the development would not preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area.
A report by the planning inspectorate said they had considered revised drawings as requested by the applicant but felt they did not outweigh the committee's worries.
In dismissing the appeal, the report stated: "The appeal site is at a lower level than the retained garden to this property and slopes away steeply from it, down to the Rea Brook Valley Local Nature Reserve.
"The dwellings would provide accommodation on three floors and plot one, and also accommodation within the roof space.
"The existing access to the side of Millrace Cottage would be widened and extended to provide access to the new dwellings.
"The appeal site is located within an established, attractive residential area, characterised by individually designed dwellings of various ages, laid out in a loose form.
"Mature landscaping is a feature of the area, particularly to the rear of the built form of this part of the town, leading down to the nature reserve."
The inspector said that despite the new dwellings being '"cited beyond the existing built form of this part of the conservation area", he shared the council's concern their physical presence, close to the nature reserve, would not reflect the established character of the area.
The report added: "New jobs would be likely to be created during the construction phase and the intended future occupiers of the new homes would be likely to support local services. Such matters amount to public benefits in support of the proposal.
"However, such benefits would not outweigh the harm that would be caused to the character and appearance."
