Plans approved for 38 affordable homes

The land is off Cedar's Drive, near Ellesmere Road in Shrewsbury

Plans to build 38 affordable homes in Shrewsbury have been approved amid residents' concerns about highways and drainage.

The project proposed by Living Space Housing is for land off Cedars Drive, near Ellesmere Road.

The company's previous application for 44 homes was withdrawn, with six homes removed from the scheme to form the new plans after feedback from Shropshire Council.

The scheme was discussed and approved at a meeting of the authority's northern planning committee on Tuesday.

Out of 55 comments submitted by members of the public, 52 were against the scheme.

The objections said Cedars Drive was too narrow for extra traffic and construction vehicles, and there were existing issues with pavement parking and poor visibility.

Concerns about flooding and drainage were also raised, as well as pressure on local infrastructure, and effects on the environment.

Shropshire Council's highways team raised no objection to consent being granted, subject to a £10,000 contribution for pedestrian and cycle improvements, as well as £5,000 towards bus infrastructure.

The public were told there was no flood zone across the application site, and the developer had submitted a sustainable drainage strategy report.

Luke Webb, planning director at the developer, said the firm had made several improvements to the plans, including increasing garden sizes, reducing the number of homes, and adding a greater proportion of parking.

"One of the public comments said maybe we shouldn't be approving any planning applications without an up-to-date Local Plan, but unfortunately that isn't the case," said councillor Ed Potter.

"There is a need to provide houses, affordable ones particularly.

"Concerns have been raised by the local community, which are probably valid concerns in their own area, but from consultee responses, particularly around highways, there is little in here that I can see to object to it."