Decision due on 1,500-home development

Plans to build a 1,500-home development in Shropshire have been recommended for approval.

Developer Bloor Homes submitted a planning application for the Tasley Garden Village project near Bridgnorth last year.

The scheme would also include specialist housing for older people, a primary school, a country park, a community centre and sports pitches.

The application is due to go before Shropshire Council's southern planning committee on Tuesday and officers have said it should be given the go-ahead.

The proposal has faced opposition locally, with 347 objections submitted to Shropshire Council.

Tasley Parish Council opposed the scheme, claiming the development was too big and in the wrong location on "prime agricultural land".

There were also concerns about the project creating additional traffic in the area, which the parish council said would increase congestion and "harmful emissions".

Bridgnorth Town Council was another objector and said the scheme would result in a population increase of approximately 33%.

There were 84 comments in support of the application, including opinion from Bridgnorth Spartans Football Club, which would get a new base as part of the development.

The club, which has more than 350 children and 100 adult members, said the development would help to widen access to sport for children and families from a range of backgrounds.

In a report to committee, planning officers said the site was a "sustainable location" and the proposed development offered "multiple socio-economic benefits".

Bloor Homes said the site, which lies to the west of Bridgnorth and south of the A458, provided a "unique opportunity" to create a new neighbourhood.

In a statement submitted with the application, the developer said: "The new neighbourhood will have a distinct character and sense of place but will respect and reflect local vernacular and make best use of the varied attributes of the site."

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