THE go-ahead to build five ‘executive-style’ homes just yards from Ludlow’s St Laurence’s Church is now merely a matter of detail since planning permission has already been granted, the developer’s spokesman told The Journal this week.
Agent for St Laurence Homes Ltd, Graham Moss, said many of the objections related to the principle of the development. Since the houses already had planning permission these were not relevant.
“This new application is only about the detail,” he said.
Developers have applied for planning permission to build the houses on land adjacent to the 14th century Reader’s House. They have submitted an amended scheme to one that was approved, on appeal, by a regional planning inspector in 2006.
Meanwhile opposition is increasing with the town council now describing the scheme as ‘ totally inappropriate’ in a ‘historic environment.’ There are more than 40 letters of objection filed on the Shropshire Council planning website.
Ludlow councillors have now added their concerns prior to Shropshire Council’s planning meeting in Ludlow on August 3 when the plans are expected to be discussed.
Town clerk Veronica Calderbank, representing the town council’s view, has written to county planners.
The letter said: “ Both the scale and density of the proposed development are inadequate. . . The detrimental impact in the shorter term – during the building work – is very considerable and could create long term material effects on the centre of Ludlow.
The town council argues that site traffic and deliveries – whichever way the contractors use – would create many problems for St Laurence’s Church which relies heavily on some 50,000 visitors a year for substantial revenue.
Many independent businesses in the area would also be adversely affected by the building , adds Ms Calderbank.
Other opponents of the scheme include the Ludlow Civic Society, Graham Willson-Lloyd of the Church Inn, the Parochial Church Council of St Laurence’s Church and numerous Ludlow residents.
The plans can be seen on the Shropshire Council planning website, use reference 10/01762/FUL.