Strong opposition over Shrewsbury development
A former meeting house in the heart of Shrewsbury could be demolished to make way for a small housing estate, if plans get the go-ahead.
S&T (Betton Street) Ltd has applied to Shropshire Council for permission to build seven homes on land in Belle Vue.
The houses would be in three blocks on Betton Street.
The applicant had previously applied to the council in a formal pre-application submission before seeking full planning permission.
Shrewsbury Town Council has objected to the scheme, which they are concerned would lead to over-development of the site. The blocks would also have a detrimental effect to the public and visual amenity value of the site.
Loss of privacy
Shropshire Council's conservation department also has objections. In a response to the application, they said: "The issue of over-development of this awkwardly-shaped site does not appear to have been fully addressed.
"When considered as a whole the revised scheme has not demonstrated satisfactorily that it would preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, and we are therefore unable to support the scheme in this latest revision."
Councillor Harry Taylor added: "Of significant concern is the loss of privacy and light to neighbouring residents' properties which this development represents. Traffic in the area has increased considerably in recent years and the additional cars this development will generate for an already narrow, one-way street is unsustainable.
"There are already considerable difficulties in navigating this road at certain times of day. This site is in the heart of the Belle Vue Conservation Area yet this development neither preserves nor enhances the area."
More than 30 objections had been received by the planning department. Concerns ranged from too many houses having already been built on Betton Street, inadequate access, insufficient parking spaces, an adverse impact on heritage assets and the development's "overbearing size".
Neighbours are also worried they would be overlooked and the development would lead to adverse light pollution.
The matter will now be discussed by members of the council's central planning committee when it meets next Thursday at the Shirehall.
