Shropshire Star

Plans for 31 new homes given the go-ahead six months after councillors delayed due to highway concerns

Plans to build 31 new homes in Telford have been given the go-ahead, six months after the council deferred the decision after highway concerns.

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The original application to build 31 new homes off Hem Lane in Halesfield, Telford, was submitted in January last year.

The site lies on the border of Telford & Wrekin and Shropshire Council, to the west of the Grade II listed Hem Manor Farmhouse and is currently occupied by a dwelling known as Ridgeways.

The proposed development by applicants Wain Homes and Felicity Jane Annan is made up of eight three-bed, and 23 four and five-bed properties.

The site is currently occupied by 'Ridgeways' on Hem Lane. Photo: Google

Last October, it looked like Telford & Wrekin Council was set to give the plans the thumbs up, but concerns were raised by councillors at a planning meeting which meant the decision was deferred.

Councillors argued that traffic coming off the Eastern Primary meant a nearby road was "like a race track", and argued a travel plan was needed to allow children from the development to safely walk to school.

A vote was taken to defer the application and a site visit was planned by councillors. Now, six months later, and with a variety of conditions, the plans have been given the green light.

Plans for 31 new homes near Halesfield have been approved. Photo: Google

As part of those conditions - and before anyone can move in - a "footway link" will need to be created from the site entrance to its junction with Halesfield 1, and Hem Lane will need to be widened and a traffic calming feature installed.

A "tactile crossing" will also be needed, from the Hem Lane and Halesfield 1 junction to the existing pedestrian facilities along Halesfield 1.

A range of conditions has also been imposed to protect biodiversity in the area, including "a suite of artificial nesting and/or roosting boxes" - including bat boxes, invertebrate boxes and two hedgehog passes per garden.

The plans can be viewed on the council's planning portal using the reference number: TWC/2023/0058