Decision on Craven Arms chicken shed houses

But it is not the building of sheds causing the controversy, as is usually the case – as the plans are to knock them down and replace them with eight new houses in Corfton, to the east of Craven Arms.

Objectors say the houses will overdevelop the site and change the nature of the historical hamlet.

The plans are for seven four-bed detached houses and one three bedroom house, with garages, off the B4368 at Corfton. They will take the place of four former poultry units on 1.16 hectares (2.87 acres) of overgrown land.

A report by consultants Balfours on behalf of developer JP Wrigley says two of the former poultry sheds are currently used for storage, with the other two derelict.

It notes the area is not part of the South Shropshire Hills area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB), nor a designated as a conservation area.

But locals have objected with the backing of Diddlebury Parish Council and the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

Resident Andrew Kirk said: "At present the ancient hamlet of Lower Corfton, which abuts the southern boundary of the AONB, comprises fourteen dwellings, randomly set in their historic setting – four are listed, three Grade II and one Grade II*.

"The building of eight new dwellings plus associated double garages still produces a suburban cul-de-sac effect.

"The density, location and spacing of the eight properties as shown on Balfours' block plan is excessive, particularly when compared with the three existing properties adjacent to the site, which occupy approximately the same area of land."

Neighbour Sam Davies added that Shropshire Council's five year plan for housing said Corfton was supposed have "around five" and no more than ten new houses before 2026, but these eight would be added to three already given permission and another in the pipeline.

Jean de Russett, clerk of Diddlebury Parish Council said: "The parish council is not against the development of the site, nor are the population of the settlement, but they are concerned about the sheer size of the proposed development."

And objection from the CPRE says the new houses would "alter the character and size of the small hamlet" and "stick out like a sore thumb."

But a report by planning officer Luke Ashley, to be considered by Shropshire Council's south planning committee today, recommends permission be granted.

It says that while guideline housing numbers for Corfton would be exceeded "the proposal is considered to represent a sustainable form of development and the impacts of granting permission for two further dwellings above the housing numbers... would not significantly or demonstrably outweigh the benefits."

Mr Ashley added the siting, scale and design of the houses "will have no adverse impact on the visual amenity of the locality, setting of the Shropshire Hills AONB, historic environment or neighbouring properties."