PLANNING officers at Shropshire Council have approved a proposal for 61 new dwellings on the site of the old Sawmill in Weston Rhyn.

Permission was granted by officers on Friday, June 16 for the development close to the A5 Gledrid roundabout and the entrance into the village.

Case officer Mark Perry, in his report, outlined why permission should be granted for the application, which had received some opposition from Weston Rhyn Parish Council who wanted a number of conditions placed on the development.

Mr Perry stated: “The principle for residential development is already established by the site’s allocation as a housing site in the adopted SAMDev plan.

“While the application site does extend beyond the allocated area it does only include a site that is classed as being previously developed.

“Additionally, the area proposed for housing in this application has previously been granted outline planning permission, although it is recognised that this permission is no longer extant.

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“It is considered that the proposed design and layout of the dwellings, their relationship to one another, and the amount of quality of the public open spaces is acceptable.

“The scheme proposes a mix of dwelling types and sizes and the overall layout of the scheme will enhance the character and appearance of the site, in particular when viewed from the adjacent canal.

“The development site utilities a large area of previously developed land which has a lawful industrial use.

“The development of the site provides an opportunity for a new residential use that is considered to be more appropriate in this village locations.”

Mr Perry said the re-development of the Sawmill in return for the 61 dwellings – 10 per cent of which will be affordable – will result in its de-industrialisation and reduce traffic.

He added that applicants Shrewsbury Homes Ltd had addressed drainages concerns into the nearby Llangollen Canal.

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He added: “That the site can be adequately drained and that there would be no detrimental impact upon the natural environment or the amenities of neighbours.

“The scheme also includes an appropriate type and amount of highway improvement measures which will also have wider benefit by assisting to slow vehicles passing through this part of the village.”

Concerns raised by the parish council included highways and road safety around public transport links and what it believes is ‘outdated’ traffic data.

The council also believes the development will impact on public rights of way and drainage.

Shropshire Council’s planning permission is subject to a number of conditions being met, such as having an agreed habitat management plan and maintenance of trees that have been ordered to stay.