Permission granted for 88 new homes near Albrighton

Permission has been granted for nearly 90 more homes on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border.

On Tuesday (May 26), Shropshire Council's southern planning committee unanimously granted permission for the scheme east of Shaw Lane in Albrighton. Submitted by Persimmon Homes, the development of 88 homes comprises a mix of one- and two-bed properties, with 17 classed as affordable.

Access will be from Millfield Road with an additional emergency access provided from Shaw Lane, which also serves as a pedestrian and cycle route.

Around 0.85 hectares of public open space will also be provided, including a central green area. This incorporates an existing historic field pond.

After raising initial concerns, the council’s highways department offered no objection in highway safety terms, with the amended layout considered safe and suitable.

Councillor Nigel Lumby, who represents Albrighton, did not object to the principle of development, but raised concern that the scheme “fails to deliver key facilities and community benefits”.

They included additional parking near Albrighton’s railway station, usable public open space, football pitch provision and connectivity with future development to the east.

Meanwhile Albrighton and Donington Parish Council welcomed the retention and renaming of public parking near Shaw Lane, and supported the pedestrian pathway through the site.

However, councillors considered the public open space and play provision to be inadequate. They were also concerned that the affordable housing mix was weighted too heavily away from rented accommodation.

A total of seven letters of objection were lodged by members of the public.

Concerns centred on flood risk and drainage, highway safety and access, car parking provision, the cumulative impact on existing infrastructure and the public open space being proposed.

Planning officer Louise Evans recommended that the application be granted, highlighting that the layout, appearance, scale and landscaping details "demonstrate a high-quality design response that integrates well with the surrounding context, provides a legible and permeable layout, and delivers a strong green infrastructure framework”.

The chair of the committee, Councillor Nick Hignett (Conservatives, Rea Valley) said he was happy with the amendments made concerning the green infrastructure, while the cycleway path through the site will provide connectivity.

However, he noted that “no one ever mentions” facilities for older children when submitting housing applications.

"I would really love to see an application coming forward for a development like this and somebody say 'in that area there, we're putting in a teenagers hut for them to hang out at night'," said Councillor Hignett.

"But we never do. I've never seen in a planning application, somebody say 'oh, we want to cater for the older children as well'.