Shropshire Star

Six affordable homes in village due for nod despite criticism

Plans for six new affordable homes in a village are set to be given the green light – despite a parish council’s “strong objection”.

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Photo: Google Street View

Harry Pitt wants to build the six new houses on land east of Meadowbrook Close in Alveley, near Bridgnorth.

Shropshire Council’s South Planning Committee has been recommended to give the scheme permission, on the basis the homes remain as affordable dwellings.

But Alveley and Romsley Parish Council said it “strongly objects” to the planned scheme due to potential damage the building work could do to an oak tree’s roots and traffic problems it says the development would cause.

It said: “The council is concerned that the groundworks for the road and bridge that would access this development would inevitably damage the root system for this tree.

“Access to the proposed development via Meadowbrook is extremely problematic.

“Meadowbrook is a cul-de-sac which is not wide enough to accommodate the variety of traffic which will need to access the proposed development, both during and after construction.

“On-pavement parking is already commonplace in Meadowbrook, creating safety risks for residents and pedestrians.

“This development would substantially increase the problem and the safety risk to exiting residents.

“The rendered finish of the new houses would be out of keeping with the style and finish of the neighbouring properties.”

'Amendments'

Richard Fortune, planning case officer, said: “The proposed development has been the subject of a number of amendments following its initial submission, in response to comments made by technical consultees and third parties.

“The proposal, as amended, is to erect six affordable dwellings on a parcel of land immediately adjacent to, but outside of, the Alveley village green belt.

“On the south eastern side of the road, and to the south of the turning head, would be two dormer bungalows in the form of a semi-detached pair.

“Each dwelling would contain two bedrooms and an open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area on the ground floor, with a third bedroom, en-suite and dressing room within the first floor roof space.

“The front garden areas to each property would provide parking for two vehicles.

“On the north western side of the road there would be two pairs of semi-detached properties, of two different designs. The first pair would be two bedroomed bungalows with open plan kitchen, dining and lounge areas.

“The second pair would be two-storey, three-bedroomed dwellings, with separate living rooms to the kitchen dining area. There would be forecourt parking to accommodate two vehicles for each dwelling.”

Mr Fortune added that the is currently seven people on the waiting list for affordable housing with a first preference of location being Alveley.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday at Shirehall.

By Andrew Morris, Local Democracy Reporter