AN OSWESTRY councillor is urging residents to put their views forward regarding plans for a new housing development in Oswestry.

Councillor Paul Milner insists he has already received more than 40 formal objections from residents regarding plans for 30 homes in parkland near Trefonen Road.

He also says he has received more than 100 verbal disapprovals of the proposals, which feature in the Shropshire Local Plan, and now believes the housing development should be removed from the plan.

Cllr Milner’s main concerns regarding the plans relate to parkland being taken away, an increase in the speed and amount of traffic passing by and potential flooding at the site.

He said: “The main concerns we have is about the impact it will have on the parkland and the habitat and ecological values of the land.

“Also, because it regularly floods onto the road from the site, there is an issue there.

“On top of that, because of the amount of extra vehicles being generated by the 30-odd houses they want to build there.

“I fully understand development is needed as the town grows, but really this is in the wrong location.

“There have been other areas in the town outlined for plans and would not have such a large knock-on effect on woodland and parkland.

“What we’re really asking for is for the OSW017 development to be removed out of the plan review all together.”

Cllr Milner also raised concerns about the safety of pedestrians nearby because of a potential increase in the amount of traffic in the area as a result of the development.

He added: “The physical safety of school pupils and older residents is something we have concerns about in relation to the proposals.

“Because of the pinch point by the Little Acorns and Our Lady and St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, we are worried about the increase in traffic and pollution in the area.

“As we said the traffic is already busy down there as it is at the moment, and the speed of traffic entering the town is already quite high.”

The councillor is now urging residents to take part in the consultation.

He said: “We’ll be doing everything we can to put a consultation response in, and I would urge as many residents as possible to take part in the Local Plan Review Consultation and make their views known.

“We want to get people to take part in it – I haven’t had one person who has supported it up to now.”

The agent of the landowner for the site, Shaun Jones, spoke at last week’s Oswestry Town Council Development and Planning meeting and addressed some concerns raised about the site.

He said: “The site assessment shows that this site is within zone one which is the lowest flood risk area.

“I’m happy to have a look at any surface water risk there may be.

“In terms of ecology and heritage, a survey of both ecological value and heritage character has been provided to Shropshire Council and they have considered the site in detail – they didn’t identify any particular ecological value.

“The area that is proposed for the development isn’t within an actually designated landscape area.

“In terms of roads and highways, planning and highways officers have considered this within the last two years, taking into account the relevant considerations and reduced the guidelines from 40 dwellings to 30.”

Anyone wishing to put forward their views or take part in the consultation can find out more by contacting Cllr Milner at paulmilner4@gmail.com