'It will be like living in Birmingham': Residents flock to see plans for 800 homes in Telford

Concerns over the loss of farmland, flooding, traffic, and pressure on the NHS were put to developers behind plans for 800 new homes to the north of Telford.

The proposals for land north of Humber Lane form just one part of 2,700 new houses that are on the drawing board in Muxton as the north of Telford is set to take a large part of the borough's new housing.

There was also some support for new homes among the 70 people who turned up at a consultation meeting held in Donnington's Turreff Hall on Monday afternoon, April 27.

"It will be like living in Birmingham," said Dennis Higginson. "I think it will be overkill for the area.

"Forty years ago we had a semi rural cottage but we will soon be surrounded by housing."

Margaret Higginson, Dennis's wife, had concerns about flooding in the area because it lies in a valley where water collects.

"We have raised it many times but I am not confident that they will listen."

For Kim Tyson its a case of being opposed to housing plans again.

"We have fought it before and we will fight it again," she said.

Proposals for the 800 homes have been set out in the draft Local Plan for Telford and Wrekin, which is being considered by planning inspectors.

Resident Ann Harper said: "I am trying to be pragmatic about it, it is progress.

"My daughter lives in London so I know how difficult it is for young people to get a property."

But she is also concerned about potential traffic issues on the narrow Humber Lane where there are "no footpaths."

Mother of two Jo Owen is concerned about access to green spaces for her little ones and whether the area will remain quiet.

"I'm putting a positive spin on it to make it work for us" she said.

The event was also attended by local borough and parish councillors.

Councillor Andrew Eade (Conservative, Church Aston & Lilleshall) remains implacably opposed to building homes on farmland.

He said he wants to "stop the desecration of our open countryside".

Independent borough councillor Jenny Urey (Muxton) said: "My concern is with so much housing in the same area.

"My biggest fear is the infrastructure."

But she added that: "I'm thinking of what we need for the residents. There is no point in just fighting it."

Speaking after the event, Andrew Collis, planning manager at Gladman, said: “Over 70 local people attended the public exhibition on Monday, including local councillors, neighbouring residents and members of the wider community.

"We’re grateful for the constructive conversations and the feedback received so far, which covered matters such as the types of new homes proposed, expected delivery timescales and considerations around access and drainage.

"We’ll analyse the responses received along with those still to come between now and the May 15 deadline.

"Our public consultation website will remain live throughout, and I’d like to thank everybody that is engaging with us on the proposals.”

The Gladman consultation website is here.