Caterpillar's plans to build 140 homes at Shrewsbury site refused

Controversial plans from Caterpillar to build 140 homes at its Shrewsbury site have been refused.

The £4.8m proposal to build the homes on land at the company's Lancaster Road site in Shrewsbury was turned down by Shropshire Council's central planning committee yesterday with concerns over increased traffic and the development not providing enough open space.

The plan was deferred by Shropshire Council's planning committee in August over concerns from councillors about the impact on nearby roads.

The engineering company had been asked to go away and come up with more information about the traffic impact on Mount Pleasant Road, and where it meets Ditherington Road, Heathgates island, and Boscobel Drive.

But councillors decided the information did not address concerns raised by members and 41 members of the public who had objected to the application.

Tim Rogers, planning manager, told councillors officers had recommended the plan to be approved, even though it is an exception to policies, which state the site should be used for employment.

Councillor Ioan Jones, for Harlescott, labelled the plan "ludicrous".

He said: "The development could bring an extra 200 to 300 vehicles."

Mark Walton, agent, said the development would generate additional return which would allow Caterpillar to invest in the site.