Housing decision deferred after concerns raised

Developers are being asked to think again over plans for 40 affordable homes in Telford, after councillors raised concerns.

One issue brought up at a meeting was a concern that residents of planned homes off North Road in Wellington would be able to look into the site of Wrekin View Primary and Nursery School.

People in the public gallery also reacted with disbelief when officials claimed 48 parking spaces would be enough for residents and their visitors.

Councillors on Telford & Wrekin Council voted unanimously to defer their decision. Tom Wragg, for applicant GreenSquareAccord, said that every year there was a need for about 700 affordable homes in the borough.

Paul Davis, representing residents, said children would be "overlooked at close range".

"I have privacy and safeguarding concerns," he added.

Davis said there was support for affordable housing, but this scheme would be "over-development".

Residents gave planners examples of parking issues at school times, but officials recommended approval, with conditions attached.

It was acceptable for 48 parking spaces to be provided at the site of the former Wrekin Endeavour Centre, council officers told the planning committee meeting.

Data showed fewer people in affordable homes had cars, it heard.

Wragg said the plan was to build new homes "for people in need".

He claimed there were "no concerns about collisions" on North Road and added traffic issues did not provide grounds for refusal.

Conservative councillor Nigel Dugmore said there should be 55 spaces to meet parking standards and he had "quite serious concerns about overlooking a school site".

Lib Dem councillor Thomas Janke seconded Dugmore's proposal to defer the decision and said that would give the applicants a "chance to reconsider".

Labour's Giles Luter, who stated he had lived in Wellington for 41 years, said he did not see how the "lack of parking is acceptable".

A planning officer confirmed they would go back to the applicant to discuss the number of properties, the overlooking issue and parking.

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

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