Social housing development on edge of Shropshire village set for approval despite residents' concerns

Plans to build 20 social housing properties on the outskirts of a village near Oswestry look set to be approved despite concerns from residents and the local parish council.

Shropshire Council’s planning committee will meet next week (July 21) to discuss a plan to build a new rural social housing development on the edge of Morda near Oswestry.

Plans for the scheme - which include nine bungalows and 11 two‑storey homes - were submitted to the local authority in March by Shrewsbury-based TC Homes LTD.

During the public consultation phase, a number of concerns were raised by members of the public - 16 of whom formally objected to the plan.

Among those concerns were fears over the increase in traffic and the strain on local amenities, while others raised concerns about the loss of green space, given that the site is in the countryside - outside of the settlement boundary.

Some, including the local parish council, stated the site struggled with drainage issues.

But Shropshire Council’s planning officers said the benefits - particularly the delivery of 20 affordable homes - carry “very substantial weight”.

While officers recognised the intrusion into the countryside and loss of habitat would cause “moderate” harm, it was outweighed by the scheme’s social value.

“The development would be read as being part of Morda and would not result in an unacceptable or unsympathetic protrusion into the surrounding landscape,” the report states.

The development will be recommended for approval when the planning committee meets next week.

The full application and officer’s report is available to view online on Shropshire Council’s planning portal using reference number: 26/00772/FUL