A DEVELOPER has had a change of mind on plans for access to a site in Ludlow where more than 100 new homes will be built.

Representatives from Ludford parish council and Ludlow Town Council, along with Shropshire councillors Viv Parry and Andy Boddington, met with Crest Nicholson on the site to discuss temporary construction access to the Foldgate Lane development.

The housing developer has planned to create a haulage road entered from Foldgate Lane to begin construction on the site.

This was opposed by all councillors at the meeting.

Now, Crest Nicholson has abandoned that plan. It will instead construct the site from an access from the A49 as set out in the original planning permission.

Crest Nicholson’s plan had been for construction traffic to travel along Foldgate Lane from the mini-roundabout near the Co-op for a length of around 85 metres. Trucks would then turn into the north field and run along the inside of the hedge. They would cross Foldgate Lane just west of the bend and enter the south field. The works would last for six to eight weeks after which construction traffic will access the site from the A49 using a newly built T-Junction.

“This proposal gained no support because the narrow Foldgate Lane is not suitable for construction traffic,” said Andy Boddington.

“That’s why the planning inspector who gave permission for the site insisted that construction access is from the A49. Now, Crest Nicholson has reverted to using the A49 access. In an email to planners, the company’s agent said:

“Following our meeting and a subsequent site meeting with ward members, the Parish and Town Councils, we have decided against progressing this option. Construction access will be from the A49 as originally envisaged.”

Mr Boddington thinks that the outcome is the right one.

“This is a victory for common sense and for local councillors,” he added.

The developer will meet Shropshire Council planners to discuss details of the new construction access.

Crest Nicholson gained planning permission for 137 homes, off Foldgate Lane after a five-year battle with residents, councils and planners. The developer is ready to go ahead with building the first phase of the housing. When planning permission was granted by a planning inspector in November 2016, the inspector insisted that no houses can be built until a T-Junction is constructed to allow access from the A49.