Shropshire Star

Ludlow homes scheme to go before planners

Plans to build specialist homes in Ludlow will go before councillors for a second time next week.

Published

Housing group Connexus wants to build five terraced independent living affordable homes on Sidney Road.

But a similar scheme was rejected by members of Shropshire Council's South Planning Committee in August 2017 over concerns that it would lead to lose of a large maple tree and open space, and a proposed footpath would pass close to the doors of existing homes.

Ahead of next Tuesday’s committee meeting, case officer Tim Rogers, said these issues have been addressed with plans to plant six new trees.

Shropshire Council’s tree management department has also asked conditions be applied.

They commented: “We acknowledge that there is a balance to be made between the importance of maintaining the character and amenity of an area and the need for social housing and that the social or economic benefits of new social housing at this site might justify the adverse effects on amenity derived from the loss of tree T3.”

The single-storey properties would have one bedroom each and feature a communal area to the rear.

Ludlow Town Council has objected to the proposal, as well as 13 members of the public who have said it would lead to over development and would increase traffic and noise.

But Mr Rogers said: “The proposal will provide much needed additional affordable housing in a named settlement which is clearly identified as suitable for some development in principle, subject to all other material considerations being acceptable.

“The site is close to existing housing that is managed by the applicants.

“There are a number of constraints within the site that have impacted on the design and layout of the proposed development, resulting in some elements that are not ideal. These elements are however not considered to be sufficient either in themselves or combination to make the proposed scheme unacceptable.

“Furthermore there would be no significant impacts on either the occupiers of surrounding properties or the public benefit achieved from informal appreciation of the open area to the front of the site which will largely be maintained.”

The meeting at Shirehall in Shrewsbury begins at 2pm.

By Emily Lloyd, local democracy reporter