Concerns over plan for 3,400 homes

1 hour ago

David TooleyLocal Democracy Reporter

News image — The development would include two primary schools, a secondary school and employment land

Telford & Wrekin Council A picture of plans for the development on a map. It is outlined by a red line, and contains squares of different colours, signifying areas of the development. They are light grey, dark grey, pink, purple and dark blue. There are black dotted arrows to show entry points — The development would include two primary schools, a secondary school and employment land

Emerging detail on plans to build 3,400 homes on a large crop-growing site north of Telford are alarming some councillors.

The 273.1 hectares (675 acres) of land near Eyton, Wappenshall and Wheat Leasows feature on the draft Telford and Wrekin local plan which outlines future development opportunities.

As well as the homes, there would under any project be scope for two primary schools, a secondary school and two neighbourhood centres.

But amid greater information from would-be developers, Liberal Democrat councillor for Apley Castle, Karen Blundell, said infrastructure was not in a position to deal with the scale of the development.

Meanwhile, Conservative councillor for Hadley Manor, Stuart Parr, said the site was a peat bog, suffering extensive flooding in winter.

"Excavating the peat bog will release large amounts of CO2 back into the atmosphere at the same time that Telford & Wrekin Council has declared a climate emergency," he wrote.

Labour councillor for Apley Castle, Jordan Keeble, said his main worries were the effect on road infrastructure.

"Protection of the wildlife and biodiversity also need to be at the forefront of this proposal," he said. "It's encouraging to see areas of the development set aside for wildlife and bio-diversity - these areas should remain in the plans and the wildlife should be protected during operations, if this development is built."

'Protected species'

Cheshire-based White Peak Planning has asked Telford and Wrekin Council what information it needs for a full environmental impact assessment.

The agent is working on behalf of Bellway Homes, Hallam Land, Homes England, David Udale Ltd, and Sydney Farms Ltd.

Eco experts have looked at the site and found it to be a suitable habitat for "protected and notable species", according to planning documents.

These include badgers, bats, birds, great crested newts, otters and water voles, which could be at risk from traffic and light pollution.

Developers are expecting to have to submit reports looking at the effect of the proposed project on biodiversity, landscape, heritage, transport and other matters.

They will also have to detail mitigation measures with the aim of avoiding, reducing, or compensating for potential adverse effects.

The environmental impact assessment is expected to be followed by an outline planning application.

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