Another well-attended public meeting was held on Thursday evening, 28 July 2011, to update local residents and other interested parties about the progress of the Persimmon Homes planning application to build 250 houses off Shillingston Drive, adjacent to the ancient woodland of Lion Coppice.
The important take-home message from the meeting was that approval of the planning application is by no means certain. Indeed, the objection argument is a strong one and the chances are reasonable that the application will be refused. However, it is essential that everyone submits their objection as soon as possible as the deadline of 15th August is fast approaching and we wouldn't want objections to be missed because they are submitted too late. Approximately 70 people attended the meeting at the Red Lion, Battlefield.
An online objection form (http://www.lioncoppice.org/objection) was launched to make it as simple as possible to send in a formal objection to Shropshire Council. The form lists the principal reasons for objecting so as to make it as quick and easy as possible to compose an objection email. Each of the reasons
listed can be edited to enable objectors to express their views exactly as they would wish. There is also space for additional comments. All objections entered using the form are automatically forwarded to Shropshire Council planning department and will appear on the public planning portal, as well as being copied to all Councillors with an interest in planning matters.
Another important point that was made at the meeting is that the application needs to be scrutinised in detail so that any problems with it, such as inaccurate, incorrect or missing information, or weak arguments, can be exposed in the planning objection document. The planning application is long, consisting of over 580 pages in 21 documents and there is a real need for as many people as possible to go through it with a fine-toothed comb. Only that way will we pick up all the problems.
The group also launched a photography competition with the aim of gathering more data about the plants, animals and fungi of the proposed development site. It is already evident that the ecological survey carried out by Persimmon was inadequate as it missed several important species, including ghost moths, barn owls and badgers. Ecology surveys are always a bit hit-and-miss because there is limited time in which a consultant ecologist can be physically present on the site and it is easy for things to be missed during this short period. It is important therefore that we assemble as much local knowledge as possible during the time available. The photographic competition is one way in which people can be encouraged to go out and observe and gather data that can be added to other ecology data that is being assembled. For more information on the photography competition go to http://www.lioncoppice.org/competition but if you have other
observations or information on the site then please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The residents group is also working hard on a formal objection that is detailed, comprehensive and robust. When it is ready this will be submitted to Shropshire Council as well as being available for download from this website. Watch this space for further details. To get the message out to all residents, not just those who attended the meeting, a door-to-door leaflet drop has been organised for Thursday 4 August 2011. If you'd like to lend a hand please contact using the contact form on this website. Everyone is welcome.
