A decision on plans to build 600 homes in Shrewsbury has been put off for a second time over issues with access.
Members of Shropshire Council’s central planning committee deferred the plans from Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes to build the development at Weir Hill, at a meeting yesterday.
Objectors to the proposed housing development are concerned over access for construction traffic off Preston Street and are demanding that a new access road be built before work begins.
The developers had suggested that a new access off London Road would be constructed once 365 homes were built. The figure was then reduced to 250, and now 225.
Mike Carter from Shrewsbury Civic Society said: “The developers have done little or nothing to meet the concerns of the public or this committee.
“A single access route, even for 225 homes is unacceptable. Most estates have one built first. This development needs better access and better connectivity.”
Members also raised concerns about a lack of infrastructure and links to the town.
Jason Tait, agent for the application, said construction traffic would not be allowed to use London Road in peak times to alleviate congestion.
He added: “Its unreasonable to say the site would be unsustainable especially when it is earmarked for development in Shropshire Council’s own plan.
“It will bring many benefits to the area including a multi-million pound contribution to schools.”
Councillor Kevin Pardy suggested deferring the application for a second time, despite the recommendation from planning officers to grant permission.
“The public are not saying don’t build on this site – what they are saying to us is please help us get this right,” he said.
“It would be so much easier for the developer to go away and look at this again because I don’t think they have looked at it properly.
“They should go away and come back with plans that we can accept. I think we have been completely ignored.”
The developers will be asked to clarify the highways data provided as part of the proposal and the application will return to the planning committee for a decision at a later date.
Source: Shropshire Star