Residents rally against plans for 103 new homes on outskirts of south Shropshire town

Plans to build a new affordable housing development on the outskirts of Craven Arms have come under fire from local residents.

Earlier this month, Craven Arms Developments and SH Partnerships submitted plans to build 103 new homes on an 11-acre plot of agricultural land off Watling Street, on the outskirts of Craven Arms.

The new homes - made up of a mix of one-bedroom bungalows and two-, three- and four-bedroom homes - would all be made available for either social, affordable or intermediate rent or affordable home ownership.

The developers argue that the south Shropshire town has not experienced any significant growth in the last decade, and the new site would provide “much-need affordable housing” in a “sustainable” area - pointing to the town’s rail station, doctor’s surgery and primary school.

But some residents remain unconvinced. Concerns have been raised about flooding, pressure on local amenities and the impact hundreds of new residents could have on local roads. In recent days, some have formed a community action group - Stop Watling 103 - to oppose the plans.

One of those behind the cause is Sean Scannell, whose primary concern was that local roads would be unable to cope with the additional journeys.

“It’ll add somewhere over 200 vehicles. We’re looking at a significant increase in traffic at peak hours,” he said.

“This is already a dangerous junction - it’s got a bend close to it and a 40mph limit, which people routinely ignore. Between 7am and 9am it’s exceedingly busy.

“With climate change, we need food security now more than we have for 80‑odd years. It’s only a small piece of farmland, but it all contributes.”

Beyond traffic and land use, Sean argued the scale of the development is simply too much for the town to absorb.

“I think the population increase is too big for current infrastructure - there aren’t adequate walking or bus routes, and bus services are increasingly under pressure.

“I do recognise we need new homes, but it’s the wrong development in the wrong place. There are existing brownfield sites in Craven Arms that are not being looked at for building, but I think they should be explored first.”

Peter and Judy Jones, whose bungalow backs onto the field earmarked for the development, echoed those concerns.

“This is a rural area, near an area of outstanding natural beauty,” Judy said. “One hundred and three houses in a situation like this is just ridiculous.”

“We wouldn’t be against a development of 25 or 30 homes - even 50 houses might be acceptable. It’s too big,” added Peter.

“We get occasional flooding in our back garden even now with it being agricultural land. When you start concreting it, putting down tarmac, it’s going to make it even worse.”

Another neighbour, Kevin Roche, said the area had already seen several stalled or abandoned housing schemes and feared the community could be left with a “graveyard” of half‑finished projects.

“I’m also concerned about the wildlife, I’m concerned about the history of the area, I’m concerned about the GPs - we’re at capacity,” he said.

“If they bring in this development, it’s going to be 400 more people. Craven Arms does not have the infrastructure.”

The planning application, which is open for public consultation until July 30, is available to view online on Shropshire Council’s planning portal using reference number: 26/02252/FUL