To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Brian Evans (Substitute: Councillor Brendan Mallon) Adam Fejfer, Rosie Radford (Substitute: Councillor Sam Walmsley), Julian Dean and Councillor Rosemary Dartnall (Substitute: Councillor Caroline Bagnall).

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting of the North Planning Committee held on 15^th July 2025, attached, marked 2.

Contact:           Emily Marshall on 01743 257717

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Northern Planning Committee held on 15^th July 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 12 noon on Wednesday, 13^th August 2025. 

There were no public questions or petitions received.

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

Erection of 38 dwellings, including associated works and landscaping.

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the application for the Erection of 38 dwellings, including associated works and landscaping and confirmed that the Committee had undertaken a site visit that morning to assess the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring properties and the surrounding area. Members’ attention was drawn to the information contained within the Schedule of Additional Letters.  The Principal Planning Officer reported that since publication of the report, three further objections had been received from members of the public.

Mr Robert Mitchell on behalf of local residents spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15.1) Councillor Ben Jephcott, as local ward councillor, made a statement and then left the table.  Councillor Ben Jephcott took no part in the debate and did not vote on this item.

Mr Luke Webb, Agent on behalf of the applicant spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

Having considered the submitted plans and listened to the comments made by all of the speakers, the majority of members expressed their support for the proposal.

RESOLVED:

That planning permission be granted, subject to;

• A Section 106 Agreement;

• The conditions set out in Appendix 1; and

• An additional condition as set out in the Schedule of Additional Letters. 

Hybrid planning application seeking (a) full planning permission for the creation of 114 dwellings, open space and infrastructure with access from Lyth Hill Road and (b) outline planning permission for up to 4no. serviced self-build plots

The Principal Planning Officer introduced the hybrid planning application seeking (a) full planning permission for the creation of 114 dwellings, open space and infrastructure with access from Lyth Hill Road and (b) outline planning permission for up to 4no. serviced self-build plots and confirmed that the Committee had undertaken a site visit that morning to assess the impact of the proposed development on neighbouring properties and the surrounding area. Members’ attention was drawn to the information contained within the Schedule of Additional letters.

Councillor Rob Ruscoe, on behalf of Bayston Hill Parish Council spoke against the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In accordance with the Local Protocol for Councillors and Officers dealing with Regulatory Matters (Part 5, Paragraph 15.1) Councillor Teri Trickett, as local ward councillor, made a statement and then left the table, taking no part in the debate or vote on this item.

Jen Towers, Agent on behalf of the applicant spoke in support of the proposal in accordance with Shropshire Council’s Scheme for Public Speaking at Planning Committees.

In response to a question, the Principal Planning Officer clarified the situation with regards to the consultation period for the application.  It was explained that the formal public consultation period had ended, however the council had recently consulted with Active Travel England who had responded to the consultation and their comments were included in the Officer’s report, however the issue was with the consultation date that appeared on the website which related to the reopening of consultation with one specialist consultee and not the wider public consultation period and it had not been possible to update the webpages to reflect this. 

During the ensuing debate concerns that the proposed development was of high density, particularly when compared to the density of the surrounding village.  There were also concerns that the village of Bayston Hill did not have the infrastructure to accommodate a development of this density.   Concerns were also expressed in relation to highways and in particular the A49 junction and for these reasons Members were minded to refuse the application.

In response, the Development Services Manager advised that deferring the application may result in the developer submitting an appeal for non-determination of the application, she also expressed her concern about the defensibility of an appeal and the associated costs arising from any appeal.  The Development Services Manager advised that if the Committee were minded to refuse the application, a deferral may be a more appropriate decision to allow planning officers the opportunity to invite the developer to enter into negotiations to help mitigate some of the concerns expressed. The application would come back to the Northern Planning Committee for determination.  The Council’s Solicitor confirmed and supported this advice.

Having considered the submitted plans and listened to the comments made by all of the speakers and taking into account the advice issued by the Development Services Manager and the Council’s Solicitor, the majority of members supported a decision to defer consideration  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

RESOLVED:

That the appeals and appeal decisions for the northern area be noted.

To note that the next meeting of the Northern Planning Committee will be held at

2.00 pm on Tuesday 16^th September 2025, in the Council Chamber, The Guildhall, Shrewsbury.

It was noted that the next meeting of the North Planning Committee would be held at 2.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 16^th September 2025 in the Council Chamber, The Guildhall, Shrewsbury.