The Northern Planning Committee of Shropshire Council was scheduled to discuss several planning applications, including a significant residential development on the west side of Ellesmere Road in Shrewsbury. Other items on the agenda included proposed self-build dwellings in Ruyton XI Towns, a new dwelling in Shrewsbury, and the installation of a BT Street Hub unit. The committee was also due to review appeals and appeal decisions.

Proposed Residential Development Land on the West side of Ellesmere Road, Shrewsbury

The committee was scheduled to consider an outline application for a residential development of up to 450 dwellings on land west of Ellesmere Road, Shrewsbury. The proposal included strategic infrastructure such as open space, drainage, and engineering works, with landscaping, appearance, layout, and scale reserved for subsequent approval. The report pack indicated that the applicant, Barwood Development Securities Ltd, had submitted an Illustrative Framework Masterplan detailing the provision of up to 450 dwellings, 10% affordable housing, a local centre, and green infrastructure.

Concerns were raised by Shrewsbury Town Council and other consultees regarding increased traffic on Ellesmere Road, insufficient local infrastructure (schools, doctors), inadequate travel plans, and the environmental impact on the nearby Old River Bed SSSI. Active Travel England also expressed concerns, recommending further off-site infrastructure upgrades and revisions to the transport assessment.

The officer's appraisal highlighted that the site lies outside the defined development boundary for Shrewsbury, conflicting with adopted local policy. However, due to Shropshire Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply, the tilted balance under paragraph 11(d) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was engaged. The report detailed extensive considerations regarding access, movement, visual impact, landscaping, ecology, biodiversity, and developer contributions towards transport, education, healthcare, and playing pitches.

Proposed Residential Development Land North Of Olden Lane, Ruyton Xi Towns

An outline application for five self-build dwellings, including consideration of access and scale, was scheduled for discussion. The site, located north of Olden Lane, Ruyton Xi Towns, had a history of refused planning applications due to its location outside the development boundary and highway safety concerns. The report noted that while local planning policy had not significantly changed, the Council's inability to demonstrate a five-year housing land supply was a key factor in this application.

The Tree Officer raised objections regarding site levels and their implications for existing trees and garden usability. The Highways Authority maintained an objection due to insufficient visibility splays, although the applicant proposed on-highway measures. Ruyton-XI-Towns Parish Council also objected on grounds of highway safety, drainage, and environmental impact. The officer's appraisal discussed the site's location, access, layout, scale, trees, flood risk, and ecology, concluding that while the case was finely balanced, the benefits of delivering five dwellings in an accessible location narrowly indicated that planning permission could be granted.

Proposed Dwelling East Of The Brewery, Longden Coleham, Shrewsbury

The committee was to consider an application for the erection of a detached dwelling and associated landscaping works at a site east of The Brewery on Longden Coleham, Shrewsbury. The site is a gap in the built development, located within the Shrewsbury Conservation Area and adjacent to a Grade II listed former brewery complex. Shrewsbury Town Council and local residents objected on grounds of overdevelopment, scale, design, and potential privacy impacts.

The officer's appraisal focused on the principle of development, design, heritage issues, and residential amenity. It noted an extant planning permission for a two-storey dwelling on the site, establishing the principle of residential development. The proposed contemporary design was considered to respond positively to the established built character of the Conservation Area, with careful attention to scale, form, and materials. The report concluded that the development would integrate positively and preserve the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, without causing unacceptable impacts on neighbouring properties.

Footpath Outside 5 Castle Street, Shrewsbury

The installation of a BT Street Hub Unit with advertisement panels on the footpath outside 5 Castle Street, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 2BD was scheduled for discussion. The location is within the Shrewsbury Conservation Area and near listed heritage assets. Shrewsbury Town Council and the Shrewsbury Civic Society objected, stating that such hubs were inappropriate for the town centre and the Conservation Area, introducing visual clutter and harm to the historic streetscape.

The SC Conservation (Historic Environment) department objected, stating that the hub's scale, height, illuminated digital display, and prominent siting would be visually intrusive and dominant, harming the setting of heritage assets. The officer's appraisal concluded that the identified harm, considered to be less than substantial, was not outweighed by the public benefits offered by the hub, such as free council advertising and environmental monitoring. The proposal was deemed contrary to local plan policies and statutory duties to preserve or enhance the character of the Conservation Area.

Appeals and Appeal Decisions

The committee was also scheduled to review a list of appeals and appeal decisions. This included details of appeals against refusals for:

• Variation of condition 7 (highways improvements) at Ollerton Business Park, Childs Ercall, Market Drayton.
• Outline application for the erection of 4No. dwellings at Land To The South Of Weston, Lullingfields.
• Application for Permission in Principle for residential development of between 3 and 5 dwelling houses at Land South Of Pear Tree Lane, Whitchurch.
• Construction of new driveway at 2 Woodcote Way, Shrewsbury.
• Extension and alterations to existing industrial outbuildings at Unit B2 And B3, Marche Lane Industrial Estate, Halfway House, Shrewsbury.
• Application for Permission in Principle for development of between two and four dwellings at land to the north and south of Rossall New Cottages, Isle Lane, Bicton, Shrewsbury.
• Application for permission in principle for the development of between four and five dwellings at Land North Of B5067 And Adjoining The Crossroads At Walford Heath, Shrewsbury.
• Outline application for the erection of 2no. dwellings at 3 Loxdale, Shrewsbury.
• Change of use of land to use as a residential caravan site for two Gypsy/Traveller families at Land At Hengoed Fields, Upper Hengoed, Oswestry.
• Enforcement Notice served for the same change of use at Land At Hengoed Fields, Upper Hengoed, Oswestry.
• Temporary consent for the continuing residential occupation of 4no. static caravans at Land At Pentreheylin, Dudleston Heath, Ellesmere.

The report also listed appeal decisions that had been made, including:

• Dismissal of an appeal against refusal for the erection of 4 No two-storey terrace dwellings and 1 No pair of two-storey semi-detached dwellings following demolition of The Horse and Jockey Public House, Whitchurch.
• Dismissal of an appeal against refusal for outline planning for the erection of 3 dwellings at Land Adjacent to Walldene, Uffington, Shrewsbury.
• Allowance of an appeal against refusal for a single storey rear/side extension and other alterations at 1 The Firs, Whitchurch.
• Dismissal of an appeal against refusal for the erection of a three-bedroom affordable dwelling house at Brookside Farm, Dorrington Lane, Woore.
• Dismissal of an appeal against refusal for the erection of a single 3 bedroom affordable dwelling with detached double garage at Tanglewood, Wilcott, Nesscliffe.

A costs decision was also noted regarding the appeal at 1 The Firs, Whitchurch, where the application for an award of costs made by Shropshire Council against Mr and Mrs Bruce was refused.