Neighbours fear plans for 96 new homes 'risk eroding' their village's 'charm and history'

According to calculations by the landowner, Raby Estates, the development would likely house between 350 and 380 people - the equivalent of a 50 per cent increase in the village's current population of around 730.

The developers say the scheme has been shaped by more than five years of technical work and consultation, with a number of changes having been implemented due to pre-application concerns.

A planning statement submitted with the application said the scheme - which also involves a newly created park with a pedestrian and cycle route - would "meet the needs" of the village and "help strengthen the community".

But so far the community has not wholeheartedly supported the plans, with several neighbours lodging official objections during the applications consultation process.

Six objections have been filed since the consultation opened on November 19, with residents raising concerns about the size of the development and the impact it could have on the local roads and services.

One resident, Mr Jobburns, said: "Cressage is a small rural village, a development of this size would represent a significant percentage increase in the number of homes and residents, altering the nature of the village significantly and disproportionately.

"Services are limited to a small primary school [and] small GP surgery, which I understand are both close to capacity already, a small shop, predominantly closed church, no further opportunities for employment in the village, limited public transport. Adding to this without any additional infrastructure would exacerbate local issues, not relieve them."

Another, Ms La Bouchardiere, added: "Cressage has a strong rural identity and a close-knit community. Large-scale housing developments risk changing the character of the village and eroding the charm, history, and landscape that make it unique. Development should complement the existing environment, not overwhelm it."

In 2020, the local authority identified the small village as being suitable for 80 new homes in the draft local plan - an important document outlining future locations for new housing and employment space. 

But Shropshire's local plan was effectively scrapped earlier this year after government planning inspectors raised concerns, mostly about the lack of housing.

Raby Estates is one of two developers currently hoping to fill the housing shortage with developments in Cressage, with outline plans to build 60 homes submitted by Muller Property Group in September.

The latest application remains open for consultation until Wednesday, December 10, and is available to view online on Shropshire Council's planning portal using reference number 25/04124/OUT.