Bowling club saved as bid refused

Members of a Shropshire bowling club were celebrating today after a landowner's plans to build two homes on its green were thrown out by planners.

Baschurch Bowling Club was told just before Christmas that Jenny Butterfield, who owns the site near the village's Boreatton Arms, had submitted plans for two homes.

The move left members of the 70-year-old club fearing for its future.

But today club chairman Mike Davies said he had received a letter from North Shropshire District Council confirming the plans had been refused. The application was for outline permission to build two bungalows with garages, but an alternative recreation ground was not put forward with the proposals.

Mr Davies said: "We are absolutely thrilled and we are just hoping we can now get on and get the lease signed for the site.

"We have had support from everywhere, from all over Shropshire."

He said they were now waiting to see if there would be an appeal as Mrs Butterfield had six months to object to the district's decision.

Mr Davies added: "We just want to get everything sorted out and ideally we would like to buy the green."

The club serves bowlers from Ruyton-XI-Towns, West Felton, Cockshutt, Myddle and Bomere Heath. Campaigners also fought off plans to develop the site back in 2004.

Terry Sambrook, Shropshire Bowling League spokesman, said they were delighted as they were losing more greens than they were saving.

Mrs Butterfield said she was disappointed with the decision and was considering her next move.