Plans go in for 44 new affordable homes

The new estate would comprise 44 affordable homes, if approved

A development of new affordable homes could be built in the north-west of Shrewsbury under plans to develop former agricultural land.

Living Space Housing wants to build 44 homes on a site off Ellesmere Road which will all be sold or rented through a social housing provider.

If approved, the scheme would contribute to local targets for the supply of affordable properties in the area.

Living Space is a specialist affordable housing firm, based in Solihull, and has plans to build nearly 400 homes across various developments this year.

The site in Shrewsbury is located outside the town’s official development boundary, but Living Space said its scheme was acceptable on the grounds that it adjoins an existing development on Cedar Drive.

“The proposal is for an a wholly affordable scheme comprising of 44 affordable dwellings, which given the requirement for 800 affordable homes per annum should be given substantial weight when considering the planning application,” it said in a supporting statement.

“The design of the scheme will retain the local character of the area and existing residential properties.

“The homes will be high quality and the proposals will ensure that the site is not overdeveloped.”

The firm consulted with Shropshire Council’s planning team prior to submitting a formal application, which resulted in the original plan for the development being reduced from 49 homes to improve its design.

Pre-application advice from the authority’s planning officers stated Shropshire had a “significant under supply” of affordable housing and the provision of a 100% affordable scheme in the area would weigh heavily in favour of the proposal.

The scheme is set to comprise four one-bedroom flats, two two-bedroom bungalows, and 34 two and three-bedroom houses. Four larger four-bedroom houses would complete the development.

Shropshire Council will decide on the plans in due course.

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