A decision on plans for a new motel near Market Drayton has been delayed after residents claimed their objections had been lost.
The 40-bedroom motel to be situated near the Tern Hill roundabout was due to be considered by Shropshire Council planners at a meeting on Tuesday.
Residents living nearby accused the council of “maladministration” and said the loss of their objections cast doubt on other planning decisions made by the council.
Agents acting for Market Drayton resident Arthur Bevan, who is behind the plans, said there was “sufficient demand” for the motel in the area and would create a number of new jobs.
But residents believe it will lead to increased traffic around Tern Hill and affect existing hotel and catering businesses nearby.
Keith Roberts, of Holly Barn, Tern Hill, said: “Many locals in the Tern Hill area had objected to the outline planning application for a 40-bedroom motel and cafe next to the Tern Hill roundabout on the A41 and A53.
“At least seven of these emails and letters containing ‘duly made’ objections were lost in the planning department and failed to be placed on the official file for consideration by the planning officer.
“As a result of the problems with this case, it is highly likely that other planning applications have been processed or are being processed without all letters of objection or support being brought to the planning officer’s attention.”
Another resident, Heather Vernon, said: “I was shocked to learn that my email had not been included in the file of objections relating to the planning application.
“There’s been a real lack of professionalism and it doesn’t give you much confidence that people’s thoughts are being accounted for.”
Shropshire Council spokesman Gareth Proffitt said the motel planning application had been withdrawn from Tuesday’s meeting once they became aware of the lost objections.
“We have asked everyone who originally made representations in relation to this application to resubmit them to ensure that they are taken into account,” he said.
“The application will then be reconsidered in light of all the comments received and will only be put before the planning committee when this process is complete.
