Concerns over plan for 12-bed rental on busy road

Plans to convert a house into 12 separate rentals on a main road in Shropshire have been criticised as an "overdevelopment" by councillors.

Proposals to convert a house on Watling Street, in Wellington were met with concern at a Wellington Town planning committee meeting on Wednesday.

The applicants wanted to create affordable housing for young professionals, the meeting heard. But councillor Graham Cook said creating an opportunity for more cars on an already "busy" road would be "manic".

Telford and Wrekin Council will make a decision on the plans after a public consultation ends on 7 April.

Planning agent Portfolio Architects said their applicants, Mr and Mrs Kudhail, are "committed to ensuring the highest quality of rental accommodation for their tenants."

The application for two-storey side and rear extensions also include a store for up to 12 cycles, while a bus stop is "directly outside the property's pedestrian gate", which developers say will combat parking fears.

But councillor Lionel Woolley said the plans give "too much development in this area and too many cars for the area."

Highway officials told the meeting that normally a plan for 12 occupants would need six parking spaces, but they believe a lack of parking spaces can be dealt with by conditions, including ensuring no more than two vehicles are parked on-site at any one time.

Portfolio Architects, which is based in Tamworth, said the proposals will offer "affordable" housing for many young or single professionals that either cannot afford to rent a whole property or prefer the benefits of shared living.

They also added that because plans comply with amenity space guidance, proposals were "not deemed to be overdevelopment".

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

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