Controversial plans to redevelop redundant industrial buildings into more than 100 new homes in Cleobury Mortimer look set to go ahead – despite there being no provision for affordable homes.
LibDem councillor Heather Kidd, a strong and consistent supporter of SSDC’s affordable homes policy said: “On the face of it this decision drives a coach and horses through our policy. I think this could be a dangerous step.
“The policy is strong because we have not, until now, made exceptions.”
Developers Muller England Ltd had argued that without planning permission for the 6.4 acre site, the firm would be forced to lay off more than 65 local skilled workers. It would also be placed in difficulties with its pension scheme for some 300 former workers – many of them from Cleobury.
Councillors at Wednesday planning committee meeting felt this was too high a price.
Muller England’s chief executive Graham Farr was pleased to see the application at Cleobury Mortimer, which he hopes will bring security, more jobs and homes.
The company had also pledged to give 1.09 acres of the site to the parish council to “use as it sees fit.”
Cleobury Mortimer district and parish councillor Gwilym Butler, who spoke for the application said the amount of local support was “overwhelming with not one objection.”
He said: “The application is not just for the future of this site but also the future of the economy in the area.”
“If we want more employment land we can identify it on the outskirts of the town, just like has occurred in Ludlow. I believe this is our best opportunity for the site.”
Cleobury councillor, Betty Davies, said she would like to see the application go to full council because she had concerns about the people who had lived and worked in Cleobury Mortimer all their lives and whose pensions were in jeopardy.
The committee recommended by a narrow margin of four votes to three that the application go to full council for approval but it may be called in for further discussion by the scrutiny committee first.
