Grave concerns over plan to build homes on historic Shrewsbury cemetery 'above more than 200 people's remains'

A proposal to turn the former Wellspring Apostolic Church in Belle Vue Road, Shrewsbury into residential properties has been flooded with objections.

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And more than 110 people, including Councillor Kate Halliday, recently took part in a Save Our Green Space (Belle Vue) meeting to discuss the plans.

Modo UK wants to build eight homes and a memorial garden, with the scheme known as Hawthorn Gardens.

A Save Our Green Space spokesperson said: “The graveyard contains at least 213 bodies and is the last remaining significant area of green space in a densely built-up part of Belle Vue, much of which is made up of Victorian terraced housing.

“43 grave memorials would be moved into a narrow strip of land at the end of the woodland, while the bodies would remain in their existing graves beneath the proposed development.

“This would mean relatives could visit memorials in the newly designated area while the remains of their family members would be beneath houses, garages and a road.”

Campaigners also claim that ongoing works have already resulted in parts of the woodland floor being repeatedly scoured and strimmed, leaving areas bare. 58 mature trees would be destroyed, more than half of the current woodland.

Residents say the site was also an important habitat for wildlife, with badgers, foxes, hedgehogs and other animals regularly seen foraging there.

There are also concerns surrounding traffic in the densely built up area, which is near a primary school.

“Additional traffic from eight new homes could increase the risks for pedestrians and other road users,” the spokesperson said.

The campaigners say they want the graveyard’s history, wildlife and importance to the local community to be properly considered before any decision is made on the proposed development.

At the time of writing, there were 57 comments on the planning application - all of them objections.

Becky Kelly commented: “Clearly, it still has significant emotional and familial connections for some local residents and their wishes should be duly respected and honoured.

“The climate emergency we are facing should stall every decision in the first instance, when there is a significant loss of green space in an already very densely built-up suburban area.

“Surely we need to maintain these green pockets for a sustainable environment and protection of our precious wildlife?

“The design looks particularly unsympathetic to the area.

“The houses are not affordable- just more dwellings for the well off to choose from - not for the greater good.”

Ms Marina Churm said: “I know and love Belle Vue. It's always had a strong sense of community.

“I think having an accessible, well used green space is fundamental to that spirit. You don't have to even physically be in it to appreciate it.

“The proposed development would irretrievably damage that, permanently.

“Replacing old, established woodland habitat with fewer, new saplings is not like-for-like; once it's gone, it's gone forever. And a little more of our collective health and wellbeing asking with it. I object.”

Representing the applicant, Stephen Owen, of ArrolGreen, said the proposals “seek to bring the site back into beneficial use through the delivery of a carefully considered residential development”.

“The intention is not to suburbanise the site, but to introduce a development form that sits quietly within its context and respects the site’s historic character and memory.”

Modo UK has been approached for a comment.

The Facebook group Apolostic Now contains information about the history of the site.

To view and comment on the application, visit Shropshire Council’s planning portal online and enter the reference 26/02704/FUL.

Save Our Green Space can be contacted via email on [email protected].