Residents have stepped up their fight against plans for a new 57-home development in Market Drayton.
A petition has been organised by a group called Protesting against the Housing in Walkmill Road (Pathwar) after the plans were unveiled last month.
The three and four bedroom homes would be built on Orchard and Bank Field, near Market Drayton Swimming Centre, and those behind the scheme claim it could create up to 150 new jobs.
Opponents held a meeting shortly after the plans were unveiled where concerns were raised over the loss of “green space” in the town centre and the increased traffic along Walkmill Road.
Pathwar spokesman Steve Dourish said: “More than 70 people attended our initial meeting and we were astonished by the support of local people concerned about the development proposals.
“Since then, we have held additional meetings which have now resulted in a committee being created which has chosen to call itself Pathwar.
“We have already started a petition within the town and have been extremely encouraged by the positive feedback received from Market Drayton residents, some of whom would not be directly affected by the proposals.”
Initial plans for the development have been submitted to Shropshire Council by Base Architecture of Shrewsbury who are acting for Market Drayton resident Andrew Davies.
If built, the homes would be priced at between £150,000 and £200,000.
Mr Dourish said: “Although the development will provide employment whilst the houses are being constructed, I believe it is fair to say that the majority of jobs created will offer no long-term employment whatsoever.
“Not only will the development change the landscape within Walkmill Road, it will also result in the loss of a beautiful green hill, part of which is in a recognised conservation area on the outskirts of the town centre.”
Base Architecture’s Carl Huntley conceded that any new jobs would be linked to the timescale of construction but added the site had been identified as a location for “sustainable development.”
He said: “We’ve been working closely with Shropshire Council to provide them with all the information that they need.
“They are still progressing with the forms and drawings and as soon as it is registered, the application will go live.
“My door is open to talk to the opposition group and I’ve put all their comments into the back of our design and access statement as views taken from local residents.”
By Winston Brown