Lorry park would cause permanent harm - council

Montgomery Waters said its plans for a lorry park and warehouse expansion in Church Stretton would help the business grow and create jobs

A bottled water firm has had its plans for a lorry park and warehouse expansion refused over the potential risk to groundwater supplies, and impact on the Shropshire countryside.

Montgomery Waters had lodged proposals to expand its Church Stretton premises, stating the move would help the business grow and create jobs.

But the Environment Agency had concerns about how groundwater sources on the site of the proposed lorry park would be protected from pollution risks.

There had been 73 objections to the scheme, with Shropshire Council planning officers also concerned the location would intrude on open fields on the edge of Church Stretton.

The lorry park off Shrewsbury Road, for seven vehicles, was proposed to be built on a groundwater source protection zone.

"The applicant’s business is dependent upon the water supply in this location and it is in their interests to safeguard their supply and not cause pollution to the spring system,” stated the Environment Agency.

The agency said the application did not "demonstrate that the risks of pollution have been understood or provide adequate mitigation for these risks."

Refusing the scheme, Shropshire Council’s planning officers said the plans would "urbanise the countryside" and "cause permanent irreparable harm", amid concerns about the wider impact on the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

They added that while the principle of extending the existing warehouse was acceptable, the proposed intensification of activity was inappropriate for the rural, mainly residential, location.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.