323 home development passed

Planners have granted permission for 323 houses to be built in a village near Bridgnorth.

Crest Nicholson Midlands’ proposal relates to a hybrid application for up to 550 homes, along with other employment and retail use, that was approved in 2021. The current reserved matters application that went before Shropshire Council’s Southern Planning Committee on Tuesday (February 25).

The scheme for plots 1 and 7 on land in Tasley is for 323 houses – 62 within plot 1, and 261 for plot 7. This comprises of a mix of one to five-bed homes with nearly 20% (64 one to three bed properties) being classed as affordable.

There is two parking spaces per home, with garages also provided. Public open space is set within a large central area of plot 7 that includes a Local Equipped Area of Play (LEAP) and Local Areas of Play (LAP) along with an attenuation basin for surface water run-off.

Internal highways are proposed to be formed by public and private roads, including pedestrian and cycle paths. Vehicular access into both sites was approved within the outline application.

Shropshire Council received representations from four members of the public, who said there was no proper notification of the application. Concerns were also raised about traffic and parking along Church Land, potential contaminants, and the impact on wildlife and trees.

Councillor George Edwards, of Tasley Parish Council, asked for the application to be deferred so that Shropshire Council could work further with the developer.

“Existing houses backing on to plot 7 have already flooded,” said Cllr Edwards.

“Flooding here is not a risk – it’s a reality and people won’t buy a house if it floods. Properties along Church Lane, some with septic tanks, rely on a foul drainage network within plot 1. Little, if any consideration, has been given to accommodating this.”
 
An agent representing Crest Nicholson said all of the drainage details will be discharged through the outline conditions, and it is an ongoing process.

She added that tree planting along the main road will be incorporated following the priniciples set in the outline consent, access for refuse vehicles have been assured, as well as the bus route link through the western side.

However, Councillor Nigel Lumby said he was concerned that only two parking spaces were being proposed, even for four and five-bedroom houses.

“That’s a recipe for disaster,” he said.

“In all modern estates with those sort of houses, there are grown-up kids that are still at home, all with a car and nowhere to park on the road.”

Responding to his concerns, planning officer, Louise Evans said the direction from government is not to provide parking on-site so it encourages people to use public transport.

The scheme was approved by eight councillors, with one abstaining.

“I like the number of affordable houses, and I like the green space which is really important,” said Councillor Andy Boddington.