This meeting of the Planning Committee will consider three planning applications. The most significant of these is an application to build up to 90 houses on land near the Greenways Farm Shop in St Georges. The committee will also consider applications for a change of use from dwelling house to Residential Institution at 34 Avon Close in Little Dawley and a change of use from dwelling house to a Residential Care Home at Breffni House in Horsehay. Please note that these are just the topics that are scheduled to be discussed according to the meeting's agenda. We do not know for certain whether each of these applications will be discussed in the meeting, or what will be decided.

Land North East of Greenways Farm Shop

This outline planning application proposes the erection of between 75 and 90 houses on land to the north east of Greenways Farm Shop in St Georges.

The site, which is currently grassland, is bordered by residential properties to the north, east and west, and by the A5 to the south. It is a 'windfall site', which means it has not been allocated for development in the Telford and Wrekin Local Plan 2011-2031¹. The council's report notes that, because the application site lies within the defined 'urban boundary' of Telford,

the principle of development can be accepted within the urban boundary Telford.

A 'Parameters Plan' included in the report pack shows a development arranged around a medieval moat, incorporating a network of green corridors. One of these green corridors would connect Ashley Road to the west with National Cycleway 81 to the east, and another would link Church Street to the north with the open space known as 'The Flash' to the south. The Parameters Plan also proposes a new signalised pedestrian crossing on the A5, to enable safer crossing for pedestrians wishing to access The Flash from St Georges.

The report acknowledges the large number of objections that have been received from members of the public. Many objectors express concern about the loss of the green space. One objector notes that

this is the last green space in St Georges

and another states that

quality affordable housing is required but this application does not satisfy that need.

Councillor Rachael Tyrrell, in whose ward the application site is situated, also objects to the application, arguing that

this development does not form part of the Local Plan and is therefore contrary to identified local development needs

and that

the issue of drainage has not been addressed.

The report responds to concerns about the loss of green space by noting that the site in question is not public land and could be fenced off at any time by its owner. In addition the report notes the presence of other green spaces in St Georges, including a 'large green space on the north side of Church Street containing play, sport and recreation facilities' and The Flash, which is described as containing 'woodland, walking routes and a lake'.

The report also notes that, in response to concerns expressed by councillors at a previous meeting, the applicant has reduced the maximum number of homes proposed in the application from 100 to 90, and has reduced the density of the proposed development to 32 dwellings per hectare. The application proposes to offset its impact on the area's infrastructure by offering financial contributions of over £1,000,000 towards local primary and secondary schools, the NHS, highways, bus stop upgrades, play areas and ecology.

In summary the report recommends that the committee grant outline planning permission subject to a number of conditions, which include a condition requiring the applicant to enter into a legal agreement with the council to secure the financial contributions outlined above.

34 Avon Close, Little Dawley

This is a full planning application for the change of use from a dwelling house to a Residential Institution, or children's home, at 34 Avon Close in Little Dawley. The application is for a temporary 2 year planning consent.

The children's home would provide care for two children aged between 7 and 17. The report notes that

the application site is in the built-up area of Telford where the principle of development is considered acceptable and is within an existing dwelling.

The report says that

the scale and design would not be altered or have an impact on the street scene and was considered acceptable for the type and level of care proposed

and that

care would be provided by two support workers, a senior officer and a manager with staff changeover every 48 hours but staggered to limit disruption.

The report also details objections that have been made to the application. These objections relate to potential parking and traffic problems, and the impact on the local community.

The report recommends that the committee grant the application, delegating authority to the Development Management Service Delivery Manager to finalise the conditions attached to the planning permission.

Breffni House, Horsehay

This is a full planning application for the change of use of a six bedroomed dwelling house to a four bedroomed children's home at Breffni House in Horsehay.

The report states that the children's home would be

for four young people aged 7-17 years

and that

care staff would be on site and share night shifts.

The report explains that

this was an existing six bedroomed dwelling which would be converted into a four bedroomed care home for four young people aged 7-17 years. There would be no external alteration so it would not impact the existing street scene. Some internal changes would be necessary suitable for the type and level of care.

The report describes how the proposed children's home would be situated in a sustainable location

near to Lightmoor Village Primary School and the Morrisons supermarket with a bus stop 0.3 miles from the site

and notes that

the development was compliant with Policy HO7 of the Local Plan and specialist housing needs Policy C2.

The report recommends that the committee grant the application, subject to conditions.