Seven-home plan for village turned down

Plans for seven new homes to be built near the A51 in Shropshire have been turned down by the council.

An outline planning application by developer Charles Hart earmarked land south of the A road, in Pipe Gate, near Market Drayton.

The proposal would have seen a mix of four to five-bedroom family homes, served by a new access road.

Shropshire Council said the scale and layout of the development does not "respond appropriately" to the established character of the area.

The application received four objections, highlighting concerns it would be outside the development boundary in the Woore Neighbourhood Plan and would affect the local landscape visually.

Woore Parish Council also raised concerns the development would result in pedestrians having to walk along a severely restricted pavement to gain access to the village and local facilities.

But resident in favour of the scheme said: "I would much rather see small developments of this scale than the mass destruction by the major housebuilders of vast swathes of open countryside."

Planning officer, Alison Lloyd recommended the proposal should be refused, saying it was contrary to various policies.

"The proposed development fails to respect, enhance, or integrate with the existing built form and layout of Pipe Gate," she said.

Lloyd added insufficient information had been provided to demonstrate that a safe and suitable vehicular and pedestrian access can be achieved as part of the proposed development.

She added no affordable housing contribution had been provided and the council cannot fully assess the implications the scheme would have on nearby trees.

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