Plans for 44 new homes in small Shropshire village look set to go ahead despite concerns over 'narrow country lanes'

Earlier this year, developers Shropshire Homes revealed plans to build 44 new homes on agricultural land near Brown Clee C of E Primary School in Ditton Priors near Bridgnorth. 

The official planning application for the development was lodged with Shropshire Council in July, with revised plans that added two bungalows being submitted in September. 

The documents revealed that the company are hoping to build a variety of detached, semi-detached and terrace homes - with 11 marked as 'affordable dwellings'.

Despite the company undertaking a public consultation with 83 of the village's residents - some of who agreed the village needed more affordable homes - many remained unhappy with the proposals. 

During the consultation phase of the planning application, 15 objections were submitted, while none wrote in support of the application.

Most of those objecting raised concerns about traffic, roads and lack of public transport in and around the village. 

Mr Roper wrote: "Ditton Priors is a small village only accessible by narrow country lanes which are now very busy following previous housing developments. This is made worse by the trend for supermarket home deliveries and shopping on line. 

"In addition, farm tractors and trailers are enormous these days and the state of the roads leaves a lot to be desired. An additional 40 or so homes, with their corresponding deliveries and probably two vehicles per household will only make matters worse."

Dr Collingridge added: "The roads into the village are narrow, frequently only single lane with old narrow bridges. Increased traffic will increase wear and tear on roads which are frequently in disrepair."

"There is no public transport into the village just a volunteer manned community bus twice a week. Buses are only supplied for senior school pupils to get to Bridgnorth during term time and nothing for students to get to college."

Initially,  Ditton Priors Parish Council also raised an objection to the plans, but has since withdrawn it and instead provided a 'neutral comment'.

The concerns initially raised by the parish council stated the site was not in the current Shropshire Local Plan (2006-2026), and the proposal was instead based on the emerging Draft Local Plan (2016-2036) which had not yet been adopted. The Draft Local Plan suggests the site would be appropriate for 40 dwellings.

Shropshire Council's Draft Local Plan is currently being reviewed by the Government's Planning Inspectorate, which recently raised significant concerns over its soundness.

But Shropshire Council's planning officers have stressed that weight is now being put on proposed sites in the emerging local plans, and have recommended the development for approval when the Southern Planning Committee next meets on December 17.

Addressing concerns over highways and access, planning officers were content that "safe and suitable" access could be provided to accommodate "all required vehicle movements". 

The report adds: "Whilst it is acknowledged that the surrounding highway network on some approaches to Ditton Priors is constrained, the settlement of Ditton Priors is considerable to be a sustainable location with a number of local amenities.

"The proposed development will generate a number of additional trips on the surrounding highway network, however, it is not considered that the likely impact would be severe nor meet the tests for a highway objection in consideration of the number of vehicle movements within the vicinity of the site."

Concluding their report, the planning officers said the site would "provide substantial economic benefits for Ditton Priors", and recommended councillors approve the site alongside a series of conditions and a Section 106 Agreement.