Appeal allows bungalows to replace community hall

The plan to replace St Christopher's Hall in Admaston was initially rejected

A former community hall can be demolished and replaced with two bungalows, a planning inspector has ruled.

Applicant Richard Edis appealed after Telford and Wrekin Council refused the application for the site of St Christopher's Hall in Station Road, Admaston, last year.

Council planners had turned down the plan saying it would be "inappropriate", and would "result in a cramped and contrived form of development".

But in a ruling issued on Tuesday, the inspector said the "development would not be harmful to the character and appearance of the area".

The report said the bungalows would be "of limited roof height and consequently would not be prominent" set against the two-storey buildings to the rear.

The council's original rejection also cited the new buildings' "overbearing impact" on a neighbouring property.

But the appeal report said it was far enough away not to suffer harm.

The inspector granted planning permission for the development with nine conditions.

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