New housing to impact “very busy” surgery and schools

New homes will have an impact on roads, a “very busy” doctor’s surgery and schools, campaigners fear.

Residents in Much Wenlock say they are worried a new 80-home development planned for land by the primary school in Bridgnorth Road, will have a major impact on the town.

Campaigners say the development is in addition to 1,000 new homes planned for the site of the former Ironbridge Power Station site – which is just four miles away from the town.

Lesley Durbin, one of the residents against the plans and part of the Much Wenlock Neighbourhood Refresh group, said: “The impact of a proposed new development of 80 houses in Much Wenlock is causing serious concern in the community.

“Only four miles from Much Wenlock, on the site of the Ironbridge Power Station, 1,000 new dwellings are proposed.

“Meanwhile, 60 new dwellings are also proposed in nearby Cressage.

“There is concern that these two new developments, by themselves, will impact the very busy doctor’s surgeries at both Much Wenlock and Cressage with serious consequences for young and old. 

“There is also expected to be an impact on already crowded schools which have limited space to expand.”

She added: “The community in Much Wenlock has come together on three occasions to express their opposition to the proposed local development.

“This public consultation in Much Wenlock has made clear the widespread opposition to any large development adjacent to the primary school on the Bridgnorth Road.

“It is seen as being in conflict with the policies of the Much Wenlock Neighbourhood Plan, agreed by the entire community.

“This demands priority for houses in small groups to meet specific local needs.”

She said that residents fear that if each of these developments is approved it will also have a crucial impact on traffic flow.

“Many drivers already attempt to avoid the congested Gaskell Arms corner by driving through the narrow and beautiful streets of the conservation area,” she said.

“Traffic queues now stretch from the Vicarage right to the Gaskell corner every morning and every evening, it has never been like this in the 25 years I have lived on Mardol Terrace.

“We are choked by diesel fumes every day.”

Mrs Durbin added: “Everyone who lives in our town and is concerned about the wider issues, including traffic and flooding, should go to the Much Wenlock Town Council meeting on October 3 to let the town council know how they feel about the situation.”