Differing views on plans for 800 homes

Plans for 800 homes north of Telford have been submitted by a housing developer.

The Gladman Developments proposals for Muxton make up the first third of a new 2,700 home housing estate on land south east of Humber Lane.

The independent councillor for Muxton, Jenny Urey, said there is "little point fighting the development" and instead she was focusing on getting the best agreement for local residents.

She said that would include safer pedestrian routes, better vehicle access and protection for historic "buildings of interest", to ensure they are not damaged.

Urey said people had raised concerns about access, and a residents group had submitted alternative plans to Telford and Wrekin Council.

Lee Carter, the leader of the authority, said: "Just saying no to building is not an option."

But the Labour councillor said it was important for the council to have a clearly-defined local development plan, to set out where houses should be built.

Speaking at a council meeting, he said: "We will have controlled development, and we will continue to invest in roads, schools and green spaces and continue to be a welcoming place."

Andrew Eade, the leader of the Conservative group on the council, took a different view, saying infrastructure around Telford was "already creaking and bursting at the seams".

He added: "[Roads] can barely cope at the current time and the same applies to our hospitals, doctors, dentists, secondary schools and so on."

Referring to the Muxton development and others, he said he worried what the impact would be of building homes for thousands more people.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.