Scheme for 3,300 Telford homes before planners tonight

NEW PLANS for a multi-million pound housing development in Telford will see more than 300 fewer affordable homes than originally intended, it was revealed today.

The revised blueprint for Lawley Village, the biggest new development in the town with 3,300 homes, shops, leisure facilities and a school, has sparked anger as more than 11,000 people wait for a council home.

Developers English Partnerships will ask Telford & Wrekin Council's plans board for permission to revise the scheme at a meeting tonight.

It includes a request that only 495, or 15 per cent, of the homes should be classed as affordable. The figure was originally 825, one quarter.

Lawley and Overdale ward councillor Roy Picken criticised the developer's bid to reduce the number of affordable homes.

"It's disappointing that people have been let down again," said Councillor Picken.

"We are in desperate need for affordable homes and rented accommodation."

Councillor Charles Smith, cabinet member for housing regeneration and economic development, added: "It is disappointing we could be cutting the number of affordable homes, but it's a worldwide recession that's causing it."

A report to the plans board says the application should be considered "acceptable in the current economic climate" and calls for the continued development of Lawley to be supported.

It claims the developer says the scheme is "unviable" in its current format.

Another application related to the same site will also go before the plans board tonight.

The application for 434 homes by Ironstone Developer Group, at Lawley Village, Lawley Drive, Telford, could be given the go-ahead.

Planning officers have recommended the decision is delegated to the head of housing and planning and that it is granted, subject to conditions.

No objections have been submitted.

By Paul Mannion